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THE 



BOYS IN BLUE; 



HEEOES OF THE "RANK AND FILE." 



COMPKISING 



Incidents and Keminiscences from Camp, Battle-field, and Hospital, 

WITH Narratives of the Sacrifice Suffering, 

and Triumphs op the 



Soldiers of the Republic. 

MES. A. H, HOGE, Associate Manager 

Of the North-western Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, Chicago. 



WITH AN INTRODtrCTION 



By THOMAS M. EDDY, D.D. 



"WITH illustrations FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS OF THE MOST STRIKING 
SCENES OF THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



NEW YORK : 
JE. B. TliEAT & CO., 

CHICAGO, ILL. : C. W. LILLET. 
1867 



c 



"Ira 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, 

By Mrs. A. H. IIOGE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District 

of Illinois. 



The New York Printing Company, 

8i, 8.^ and Ss Centre Streets 

New Vosk 



TO 

THE RETURNED, TRIUMPHANT SOLDIERS OF 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, 

AND TO THE MEMORY OF 

THE HONORED DEAD 

WHOSE PRECIOUS DUST LIES SCATTERED FROM 

« 

MAINE TO TEXAS, 



^ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



/ PAGE 

The Grand Review at Washington, May 

23d and 24th, 1865, . . . Rawson, i'rontispiece. 

•^ " The Old Flag," Vignette Title. 

•^Leaving Home and Friends for the 

War, Nast, ... 32 

"'^The Triumphant March into Richmond, 

April 2d' 1865, .... Mombergeb, . 112 

Gten. Grant's Encampment at Young's 

Point, in front of Vicksburg, . Roberts, . . 222 
Battle of Missionary Ridge — The Pri- 
vates' Victory, . . . ' . Roberts, . . 336 



/, 



The Color-Bearer of the 127th Illinois 
Regiment Planting the Flag on the 
Ramparts of Arkansas Post, . Roberts, . . 432 



PREFACE. 



I HAVE been repeatedly solicited to publish *be experiences of 
my three years' army life while laboring in connection with the 
U. S. Sanitary Commission, and have only consented to do so 
through renewed importuuities from quarters eminently entitled to 
consideration. It has been urged, that sketches of the interior and 
every-day life of the great Union Army, in hospital and in the 
field, can alone convey a just idea of its animus and morale ; that 
this work should be done at once, before facts become dim outlines 
in the vista of memory, or engulfed in the ocean of the past ; that 
these simple sketches should be furnished by those who witnessed 
and became part of them ; so that in the future, they may be gath- 
ered by the hand of some skilful ai-tist, and wrought into the 
mighty warp of the rebellion, embellishing its naked outlines and 
bloody scenes, more richly than the gold and silver figures of 
the famous gobelin art. My narrative is a simple statement of 
facts, more eloquent than words, and deeds more thrilling than 
fiction. Tlie title of the book denotes its prevailing character. 
It is an indisputable fact, that while our great military leaders 
conceived and planned campaigns unparalleled in history, which 
eventuated in such triumphant success, the " rank and file " of the 
army largely endured their hardships, and with unflagging zeal 



14 PEEFACE. 

conquered for us a glorious and honorable peace. None declare 
tliis more boldly and persistently than our leading military men, 
and none feel more desirous, that the patience, suffering, and 
heroism of these brave men should be recorded. 

I should be unwilling, now that the war has closed, to say 
aught to revivify, what should he buried issues ; but justice to the 
soldier, and historical accuracy, compel me to represent affairs as 
they were, thus placing the honor and the shame where they justly 
belong. The South, when it attacked the flag, threw down the 
gauntlet, and unloosed tongues as well as swords. Without malice 
or bitterness, the i^cord should be made, as a warning to future 
generations. The brave men who upheld the Government in her 
hour o\ trial should be justified and magnified, while those who 
inaugurated four years' fratricidal war, that robbed the Union of 
half a million of freemen, broke unnumbered hearts, wrecked as 
many homes, imposed a vast national debt, requiring heavy taxa- 
tion, and clad the nation in mourning, should be severely con- 
demned, no matter how mistaken, prejudiced or sincere in their 
course. 

It was my rare privilege to become personally acquainted with 
many of our great military leaders, at their posts of honor and 
danger. Durmg the progress of the war, I had also the opportu- 
nity of meeting and corresponding with our lamented President, 
and distinguished statesmen at Washington, with regard to the 
interests of the army. 

Whenever the incidents of these interviews, or their letters, 
have a bearing on the narrative, they are introduced. I also 
give sketches of heroic wives and mothers, who laid more 
than their lives upon their country's altar, and record some of 
the deeds of the brave women, who followed the soldiers to 
camp and hospital, to alleviate their sufferings — even to die, that 



PREFACE. 15 

they might live. The self-denying liberality, labor and zeal of 
thousands of our countrywomen are known of all men. Special 
notice, however, of the women of the North-West, with whom I 
labored for three years, must be admitted here, else should I fail 
to offer an example, calculated to stimulate and encourage women 
in all time to come. 

In carrying out this plan, I have a long-coveted opportunity 
to testify what I saw and heard of the various benevolent and 
patriotic schemes for the benefit of the army, especially of the 
glorious work of that heaven-born charity, the U, S. Sanitary 
Commission, with which I labored from the beginning to the 
close of the war. 

The two years that have elapsed since the close of my active 
war life, fonn a vista through which past events and impressions 
assume more just proportions, and have afforded time and oppor- 
tunity for more calm reflection and correct estimates than could 
have been made at an earlier period. The people feel -this, and 
a.re now prepared to accept what has been winnowed by time, and 
tested by absolute results. With the^e explanations I submit the 
" Boys in Blue " to the soldiers and their friends, concluding with 
a quotation from the speech of our lamented President at the 
Philadelphia Fair. After praising the women of the war, he 
added, truly : " Say tvkat you will, after all the most is due to 
the soldier, who takes his life in his hand and goes to fight the 
battles of his covMtryT 



INTPiODUCTION. 

By Key. T. M. Eddy, D.D. 



He who keeps his guest shivering upon an ex- 
posed veranda, or in a dreary hall, instead of 
admitting him at once to his cheerful fireside, ex- 
tends poor hospitality and questionable courtesy. 
Let us not imitate the col'd blunder, but make this 
introduction a narrow one, and giving the " Open 
Sesame," admit the reader at once to the good cheer 
which awaits him. 

Of " War-books " there may have been an over- 
stock, yet this one stands alone, has no competitor, 
trenches on no other, was needed, and because needed, 
is here. The record of our recent eventful days 
was sadly incomplete 'without such a volume, and 
who else should write it ? Gentlemen of eminence 



18 INTRODUCTION, 

iu military, political, professional, and business life, 
have urged Mrs. Hoge to undertake its preparation, 
and, after personal inspection, have given her work 
their enthusiastic approval, because of what it is. 

She could not write an ordinary or dull book. 
She has too much brain to be a prosy collector ; too 
strong originality to be an imitator ; and has had an 
experience too eventful to permit her to e^' >end her 
strength in collecting chronological memoranda, or 
repeating worn-out details. ^ 

Mrs. Hoge is one of those women called into active 
duty by the war, whose memory will remain. Born 
where the shadow of Old Independence Hall fell 
almost across her cradle, educated iu an intense 
patriotism, no wonder t*hat her soul thrilled when 
the Nation's great struggle came ! 'No wonder that 
her eminent executive ability soon saw a work to be 
done, and how women could do, for the country, 
what men could not. 

In the work of supply, in the arrangement and 
outfit of hospitals, iu preparing and forwarding stores, 
such as the Government was incapable of furnishing, 
in nursing the sick and wounded, she saw the work 
of Women-patriots, and to it she addressed herself 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

witli marvellous industry and success. Capable of 
seeing her way to the accomplisliment of whatever 
ought to be done, incapable of being discouraged by 
official or unofficial neglect or opposition, she, with 
others, worked out results so grand as to be matter 
of wonder on both sides the Ocean. We will not 
recite her history, nor trace her path from hospital 
to hospital, from one department to another, nor tell 
how she wrote, and journeyed, and talked and organ- 
ized for the sake of the Army of the Union. 

It will be a wonderful story, if ever some one shall 
write, as it should be written, " Woman's deeds in 
the War," and tell, as it should be told, the story of 
her heroic toil. Enough is known, enough lias been 
told to excite the world's admiration, but much re- 
mains untold. 

From personal participation the Author is caj^able 
of writing what few others can. She can tell the 
story of the gradual upgrowth of the Sanitary Com- 
mission, the formation of Soldiers' Aid Societies, Field 
and River relief. Soldiers' Homes, in short, all the 
varied methods by which Motherly, Wifely, Sisterly, 
and Affianced love expressed itself, and much of it 
she has so told in these chapters as to start tears 



20 INTRODUCTION. 

from eyes wliicL shall read tlaein. We know not 
where so much valuable information, as to the relief 
work of the Army, is so well sketched, or in so brief 
a compass. 

It was well that a woman should tell the story, 
for it was woman's work. 

The title " The Boys in Blue," gives a key to the 
Author's spirit. We saw her when the land was 
ringing with the great names of Grant, Sherman, 
Sheridan, Thomas, Meade, Farragut, Porter, and 
other illustrious chieftains. She had glowing ad- 
miration for their genius, and honored their grand 
achievements, but her sympathies were for " The 
Boys," the brave fellows who stood on the jiicket 
line, who went out as scouts and skirmishers, who 
charged on blazing batteries, or against lines of steel. 
She believed that nowhere were there, truer or 
nobler heroes than among enlisted men, who without 
the insignia or emoluments of rank, fought the 
hard battles of the nation. And when she came to 
write, they were still first, and she tells how she 
found them, what they did, and what the love of a 
great loyal people did for them. 

Not a professional history of the Sanitary Com- 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

missiou, this volume is yet one of tlie best accounts 
yet published of that gigantic national agency. In- 
deed, it will be henceforth essential to a correct 
understanding of its method and machinery. 

It is not a history of woman's part in our war, yet 
nowhere else is that so well told, so touchingly and 
truthfully. 

It was not her design to write a history of the 
w^ar, yet the reader will find, as he passes through 
its chapters, that he has been through the great 
campaigns between 1861 and 1865. 

It was not designed to be a book of anecdotes, but 
almost every page is rich with incident. The Presi- 
dential Mansion, the Departments of Government, 
the Field, the River, the Hospital, the Battle, the 
Retreat, the Great Fair, the final Return — each con- 
tributes its proportion, so that the volume becomes 
a genuine picture-gallery. 

We commend it as a valuable contribution to the 
historic materials of the War for the Union ; as a 
repertory of facts too important to be lost ; as a tes- 
timonial to the devotion of the common soldier in 
camp and hospital, as a record of woman's love and 
woman's deeds, and as showing how a people, in 



22 INTRODUCTION. 

earnest to save their country, took up and carried, 
additional to their enorm'ous taxation, a financial 
burden amounting to untold thousands, that they 
might aid " The Boys in Blue," and keep them, in 
their hearts, ever a citizen soldiery^ an army, not of 
" privates," but of husbands, sons, and brothers. 

Some fascinating sketches are from the pen of 
Mrs. Livermore. She and the Author were closely 
identified in work and sympathy ; they were together 
in the same narrow office ; together they travel- 
ed, spoke, wrote and worked. So far differing that 
each was supplemental of the other, yet so far re- 
sembling as to secure unity of place and action, the 
service they rendered jointly was of inestimable 
value. 

Mrs. Livermore visited some portions of the field 
unattended by her colaborer, and her graceful pen 
having recorded some scenes she witnessed, she has 
kindly furnished them for this volume, adding to its 
interest, and giving it, in the most effectual manner, 
her indorsement and commendation. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

The personnel of the Union Army— illustrated by White River 
Expedition. — Patience of soldiers illustrated.— First visit to a 
military hospital at Mound City.— Wounded soldiers from Fort 
Donelson, — French boy-soldier. — Wounded man from gunboat. 
— Convaleiscent ward. — Rebel surgeon and his wounded men. — 
Rebel surgeon on naval hospital boat. — Rebel prisoners at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, 33 



CHAPTER 11. 

Surrender of Fort Donelson.— Mihtary aspect of Cairo and Missis- 
sippi River.— Battle of Pittsburg Landing.— Mihtary aspect of 
St. Louis. — Five thousand troops marching through St. Louis. — 
South-west Missouri the earhest battle-ground of the war. — The 
wounded after the battles of Booneville, Dug Spring, Carthage, 
and Wilson's Creek. — Formation of Western Sanitary Commis- 
sion.-^Work of Western Sanitary Commission in St. Louis. — 
Hospital work of St. Louis ladies in hospital wards. — Incidents 
in St. Louis Hospitals, 4^ 



24 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. ^ 

Sketch of U. S. Sanitary Commission. — Its origin. — Its work in 
hospital cars and at the battles of Eastern and Western armies. 
— Poetic contribution by a private. — Dr. Bellows and Mr. 
Yeatman, ........... 59 



CHAPTER lY. 

Christian Commission. — Its organization, work and extensive use- 
fulness. — Letter from Mrs. Duffield, of Detroit. — Letter from 
Agent of Christian Commission at Brazos. — Ladies' Belief Soci- 
ety of Philadelphia. — Governors and State Sanitary Commis- 
sions. — Board of Trade, Chicago. — Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Wright, 



CHAPTER Y. 

The Woman's Council at Washington. — Resolutions voted. — 
North- Western work. — Visit to President Lincoln.— Soldiers' 
Home at Washington. — U. S. Sanitary Commission warehouses 
in Washington. — Douglas Hospital. — Convalescent camp inci- 
dents. — Too early removal from hospitals illustrated. — National 
buildings at Washington. — Long Bridge. — Martyrdom of Col. 
Ellsworth, 81 



CHAPTER YI. 

The supply-work of the North- Western Branch of the U. S. Sani- 



CONTENT,S. 25 

tary Commission. — Volunteer aid of the press. — Necessities for 
supplies at clep6ts in advance of battles. — Result of earnest work 
and thorough organization. — Wisconsin Aid Society. — Mrs. Colt. 
— Michigan Branch U. S. Sanitary Commission. — Miss Camp- 
bell* — Iowa Branch. — Mrs. T. E. Simpson, Minnesota North- 
Western Branch Aid Societies. — Incidents of alleged misappro- 
priations of stores at Mount Carroll. — SeLf-sacrifice and heroism 
of North- Western women illustrated by striking incidents. — The 
manual labor of women to permit men to enUst. — Labors in Aid 
societies. — Soldiers' rests and homes. — Female nurses, . . 95 



CHAPTER VII. 

SKETCH OF MRS. BICKERDYKE. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke's amazing energy and fertile expedients. — Laun- 
dries and bakeries. — Major-Gen. Buford, — Her refusal to nurse a 
Major-General's son. — Her call to the hospitals from Galesburg. 
— Mrs. B. and unfaithful ward-master in Brick Hospital, Cairo. — 
Her trips on hospital transports after battle at Pittsburg Land- 
ing. — Feat on the Fanny Bullet. — Sketch of the armada leaving 
Fort Henry. — ^Jtlrs. B.'s hospital work at Savannah. — At Cor- 
inth. — Eemoval of hospital in the midst of the battle of Cor- 
inth.— Her work in small-pox hospital at Memphis. — Her laundries 
at Memphis. — Her raid on Northern cows and hens for benefit 
of Memphis Hospital. — Her personal gifts to soldiers. — Her 
work at Huntsville. — Her work at Beaufort, Morehead City, 
Wilmington, and finally in Sherman's victorious army, . 116 



26 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER yill. 

Visit of members of the Commission to the army, — Dr. W. W. 
Patton, Vice-President. — Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Colt's visit to tke 
army at request of Commission. — Mrs. Saiford at Cairo. — Cre- 
dentials. — Passenger steamer Ruth. — She is seized at Columbus 
as transport of war. — Sketch of young soldier from Iowa, and 
his story. — Contraband group. — Anecdote of Cassar. — Departure 
from Columbus. — Island No. 10. — Approach to Memphis. — Her 
former prosperity, — Blasted prospects. — Public square. — Jack- 
son's statue. — Sketch of Southern desolation, and its cause. — 
Arrival at Memphis. — Hospitals of Memphis, — Wounded soldiers 
from Vicksburg. — Sanitary depot, 132 



CHAPTER IX. 

Departure from Memphis. — Arrival at Helena. — Wretchedness of 
the place. — A sketch of the fir.t army Sabbath. — Embarkation 
of 15,000 troops. — Sketch of a cavalry regiment. — Embarkation 
of a battery. — Interview with General Gorman on fleet. — Deci- 
sion to accompany White River Expedition. — Anxious father on 
the Ruth. — Contrast between recruits and veterans. — Mouth of 
White River. — Rumor of battle at Arkansas Post. — Organization 
of battle fleet. — Entrance to the White River. — Description of 
its banks. — Council of War. — Changing weather. — Organization 
of hospital on Ruth, — St, Charles, — Gen, Fisk's talk with a 
rebel. — Cavalry regiment sent out as scouts. — Suffering of the 
men on marches. — Arrival at Duvall's Bluff. — Hardships of 



CONTENTS. 27 

soldiers on transports.— The morality of the army.— Their en- 

145 
dm-ance, 



CHAPTER X. 

Transport hospital life on the Ruth.— Sanitary stores dealt out.— 
Death and burial of a hospital nurse.— Suddenness of soldiers' 
deaths.— Schoolmaster soldier.— Young brothers of the 33d Mis- 
souri.— Sick soldier behind a wheel-house.— Confiscation of cat- 
tle.— Sketch of sickness and death of a Wisconsin soldier.— 
Camp-cough.— Sight of St. Louis ladies on guard.— Isolation of 
individuals and regiments in the army.— Visit from Miss Breck- 
enridge.— Prayer-meetings on transports.— Sabbath services on 
the Ruth.— Col. Pile's remarkable sermon.— Trip down the river 
on a gunboat.— aen. Fisk's moral influence in the army.— Faith- 
fuhiess of surgeons.— Convalescent soldier nurses, . . 157 



• CHAPTER XL 

Suffermg of army at Young's Point.— Arrival at Cako.— Guerillas 
and steamboat passengers— A collection.— The mother of Joseph. 
—Mothers and wives en route for Memphis.— Hospitals at Mem- 
phis.— Soldier's death at Adams Block Hospital.— Visiting the 
patients.— Mr. Reynolds in hospital.— Cheers for the Sanitary 
Commission.— Wisconsin battery-boy.— Mrs. B.'s attention to a 
wounded soldier.— Gen. John Logan.— Gen. McPherson.— Gen. 
Webster, 



28 ^ CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Departure from Memphis. — Journey down the Mississippi. — Fearful 
reports of guerillas at Helena. — Disguise of steamer as gunboat. 
Arrival at Young's Point.-^Silver Wave sanitary-boat. — Inter- 
views with Gen. Grant on Magnolia. — Donation of five bales of 
cotton for soldiers' comforts. — Mode of work on sanitary-boat. 

— Humorous incidents. — Story of Arthur C. , the drumruer- 

boy. — Contributions by Mrs. Livermore, .... 198 



CHAPTER XIII. 

February 22d at Young's Point. — Naval salute. — Southern sun and 
rain. — Gunboat fleet. — Capt. MacMillan of Silver Wave. — Mid- 
night scare. — Visit to Admiral Porter and flag-ship. — Rebel boy- 
gunner. — Army pets. — Visit to naval hospital. — Naval regatta. 
— Southern sunset 212 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Description of camp-ground at Young's Point. — Funerals on the 
levee. — Arrival of the steamer Des Arcs, laden with coffins. — 
Reception of stretchers, filled with patients, at sanitary-boat. — 
Incidents. — Meeting Mrs. Gov. Harvey, of Wisconsin, on Silver 
Wave. — St. Louis ladies on hospital-steamer City of Alton. — 
Reception of patients. — Hospital breakfast. — Sketch of Miss 
Breckenridge, . . . 222 



CONTENTS. 29 

CHAPTEE XY. 

Work at the Commission rooms. — A day at the rooms of the Sani- 
tary Commission, by Mrs. Livermore. — Mode of raising supplies. 
— " Where there's a will, there's a way," by Mrs. Livermore. 
— " Women in the harvest-field," by Mrs. Livermore. — Mrs. 
Livermore's army trip to Milliken's Bend, . . . 239 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Mrs. Liveynore's trip from Yoimg's Point to Lake Providence. — 
Visit to the Mercantile Battery at Milliken's Bend. — Trip up 
the river to Cairo. — Contraband boy. — Refugee girl, . 270 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Gen. Grant's plans to reach the rear of Vicksburg. — Transports 
running the batteries. — Overland march of the aripy to New 
Carthage. — Cross the river at Hard Times. — Six successive bat- 
tles to reach the rear of Vicksburg. — Assaults on Rebel fortifica- 
tions. — Steamer " City of Alton " sent for wounded Illinois 
soldiers. — Prisoners on board from St. Louis. — Incidents of 
travel. — Prisoners' guard. — Camp of Union army in ravines and 
rifle-pits. — Dining with regiments. — Southern bayous. — Visit to 
rifle-pits. — Bravery and endurance of troops. — Incidents of the 
visits. — Visit to the 113th regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. — 
Visit to its hospital. — Death of its color-bearer, . . . 286 



30 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Fast living in Chicago intensified at Vicksburg. — Army life at 
Vicksburg. — Army trains. — Dust. — Good-nature of the sol- 
diers. — Thunder-storm. — Life in an army tent. — ^Bombardment 
of Vicksburg. — Eeptiles and Insects. — Climate. — Tornado. — 
Visit to Lutheran clergymen in the ranks. — Brave German lieu- 
tenant promoted from the ranks. — Wounded drummer-boy. — 
A boy-hero, 302 



CHAPTER XX. 

Necessity for increased supplies. — Appeal to pulpits. — Kesolution 
to inaugurate a great Northvrestern Sanitary Fair. — Eesolution 
to inaugurate a great Sanitary Fair. — Sketch of the Pioneer 
Fair. — Work of preparation. — Pittsburg contributions. — Proces- 
sion. — Lake County farmers. — Address of T. B. Bryan, Esq. — 
Incidents of the procession. — Dining-hall. — Sensations of the 
Fair. — Letter from Memphis hospitals. — Letter from Quincy hos- 
pitals. — Letter from Hon. Schuyler Colfax. — Emancipation 
proclamation. — Correspondence "with President Lincobi. — Gold 
vs^atch presented to the President. — Incidents of the Fair. — Sol- 
diers' dinner. — Anna Dickinson's Address. — Resolutions at close 
of the Fair. — List of officers of the Commission, . . 332 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Second Woman's Council at Washington. — Dr. Bellows' address. — 



CONTENTS, 31 

Visit to Philadelphia. — Sketch of meeting at West Chester. — 
TJ. S. Sanitary Conamission. — Fair mania. — Pittsburg Fair. — 
Bazaar. — Monitor Hall. — Horticultural Hall. — Philadelphia Fair. 
— Union Avenue. — Hall of Arms and Trophies. — Horticultural 
Hall. — Art Gallery. — President Lincoln's speech, , . 369 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Gen. Grant assumes command of the Union Armies. — Continued 
fighting. — Great need of sanitary supplies. — U. S. Sanitary 
Commission and Soldiers' Home resolve to hold a Fair. — Great 
plans. — Close of the war. — Less enthusiasm.— President Lin- 
coln. — Trip to Washington. — Visit to Mr. Lincoln. — Interview.- 
President's levie. — Interview with Secretary Stanton. — Admiral 
Farragut and Charles Sumner. — Miss Peabody, . . . 399 



CHAPTER XXni. 

Last Fair. — Reception of Regiments. — Reception of Gens. Grant 
and Sherman. — Gen. Sherman's speech. — Gov. Yates' reeeption 
of Gen. Grant. — Humorous incidents, .... 416 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

•Mr. Howe's enUstment. — Raising a county regiment. — Speech at 



32 CONTENTS. 

the meeting to raise recruits. — Enlistment of his coachman in 
same regiment. — He is made Postmaster of the regiment. — Ad- 
vances money to pay regiment for two months. — His ilhiess. — 
Return home to work for the boys, . . ... . 444 




Leaving Home and Fiuents ron Tun W'ak. 



THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER I. 



The jiersonnel of the Union Army — illustrated by White River Expedi- 
tion. — Patience of soldiers illustrated. — First visit to a military 
hospital at Mound City. — Wounded soldiers from Fort Donelson. — 
French boy-soldier. — Wounded man from gunboat. — Convalescent 
ward. — Rebel surgeon and his wounded men. — Rebel surgeon on 
naval hospital boat. — Rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas, Chicago. 

When the echo of the first rebel gun reached the nation's 
ear, the uprising of the loyal masses of this great Republic 
was not only an inspiration, but a prophecy — not only a 
foretelling, but foreshadowing of the redemption that drew 
nigh, and has now been fulfilled by God's overruling power 
and the strong arms and brave hearts of the "Boys in 
Blue." 

When husbands left their wives and little ones, praying 
and weeping between the porch and the altar ; when boys 
sprang heroes from their mothers' arms to the front ranks of 
battle; when lovers buckled on their armor, looking aloft to 
the emblem of freedom, and deferred the day of hope ful- 
filled till the old flag should be vindicated, or their union made 



34 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

eternal beyond the grave, God moved the hearts of men as 
they had never been moved before. 

The personnel of the Union army differed from all others, 
except that of the army of the Kevolution. Not only did 
hills and valleys, cities and hamlets, pour forth a stream of 
volunteers, till the Government said, ''It is enough," but the 
best blood of the land filled up its rank and file. Judges, 
lawyers, legislators, professors, students, merchants and far- 
mers, stood shoulder to shoulder with artisans, mechanics 
and laboring men, in this great struggle for the maintenance 
of our nationality, and for the establishment of free princi- 
ples throughout the world. 

I recall a steamer on an expedition which I accompanied, 
that contained an Iowa regiment, which numbered in its rank 
and file judges, county clerks, lawyers, professors and minis- 
ters. I saw these educated, noble men, eating hard-tack and 
raw pork from the heads of unsightly barrels, with no mod- 
ern conveniences save a jack-knife; while those who had 
graced society at home, controlled votes and shaped public 
opinion, lay on the hurricane-deck and open guards of a trans- 
port during a pelting storm of sleet and snow, with no pro- 
tection but a soldier's blanket, and no pillow but a knapsack. 
I saw these men refuse the tin-cup of warm tea, and treat of 
soft biscuit, when they were covered with the mud and snow 
of an Arkansas march, because, as they said, their fellow- 
soldiers needed it more. 

They impressed me with awe, amounting almost to rever- 
ence, on that occasion. All their plebeian surroundings 
could not conceal the scholar and the gentleman. At the 
time I knew not whence they came, or who they were, but 



INCIDENT OF 113th ILLINOIS. 35 

felt their power, as they sat in silence and bodily weakness; 
and when they bade me pass on to the more needy, I obey- 
ed without remonstrance. Could such men be conquered? 
Could such inspiration, such indomitable will, such stern 
principle, be subdued ? The memory of our soldiers' hero- 
ism is inspiring, the recollection of their long-suffering 
and patience, overwhelming. They form the most striking 
human exemplification of divine patience the world has 
ever seen. 

During the war, the shadow of death passed over almost 
every household in the land, and left desolate hearth-stones 
and vacant chairs. Shots at long range entered dwellings 
even in the most sequestered vales, and on the loftiest moun- 
tain ranges. Thousands of mothers, wives and sisters at home, 
died and made no sign, while their loved ones were hidden 
in southern hospitals, prisons or graves; and all this, that 
our nation might be perpetuated, the principles of human 
freedom established, and the hand of the world's dial-plate 
moved forward a degree, even though it cost the lives of half 
a million of freemen to accomplish it. A simple incident will 
illustrate this determined patriotism more strikingly than a 
thousand general statements. 

When the lloth Illinois Regiment was stationed at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, my son being its colonel, I visited it fre- 
quentl}^, to administer to the wants of the sick. On one oc- 
casion, I saw a member of that reoiment sittino- on a bench 
with a son on either side of him, of ten and twelve years 
old, lovingly leaning on their father's bosom. It was a 
touching sight, and at his request I sat beside them. I said, 
"Are these your only children ? " " JSTo," he replied, " I have 



3G THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

a wife and seven children."' " "Was your wife willing 
to have you leave your home?" "We had many talks 
together before she consented. She could not, at the first 
call ; but when the second came, we concluded 'twas bettei 
to run the risk of leavinsr her a widow and the children 
fatherless, than to risk losing this blessed country, with all 
its institutions. I keep these boys with me to the last, and 
go home every Sunday in the neighborhood, to teach Sabbath- 
school. I have made great sacrifices to come. I have a fine 
stock-flirm, and had as happy a home as man could desire 
here below. I have pushed off my stock at a sacrifice, 
rented my farm, and my wife has gone to her father's 
house, to remain in my absence. I have started to fight for 
my country, and with God's help do not mean to look back 
and never return, till I can come home victorious or in my 
coffin." I followed that man's course, and he kept his word 
to the letter. He was in the first advance on Vicksburg, 
and when the army retired to the transports he believed his 
country lost. He said he had no desire to live, and his great 
heart broke. He lay down in silence, and, without any ap- 
parent disease, breathed out his consecrated life on his coun- 
try's altar. He was carried back in his coffin, and the God 
of tlie widow and fatherless has wonderfully sustained his 
widow and children. 

The war has now ended, the larger portion of the army is 
disbanded, and alreadj^ absorbed in the pursuits of civil life, 
exhibiting even a greater marvel than its inspired gathering 
and organization. Mothers, wives and maidens, have received 
their sons, husbands and lovers back again, some unharmed 
in body and untainted in soul. But alas I how many have 



SCOPE OF THE WORK, 37 

opened their hearts and arms to receive the battered remnants 
of a once vigorous manhood, rendered dearer and more 
sacred by the mark of the destroyer, and the tokens of suf- 
fering and heroism. Those of us who had drifted into posi- 
tions new and hitherto untried, accepting duty in whatever • 
shape offered, have also been mustered out, returned to the 
homes won for us by our brave army, and are turning our 
efforts into other benevolent channels, or recuperating over- 
wrought powers for future labors. The earnestness of life 
has been so thoroughly realized by those who participated in 
army labors, that the sham and frivolities of society seem in- 
sufferably tame and insipid. Sitting beside my sanitary desk, 
the daily companion of three years' toil, unless when absent 
in the arm}^ or in its interests, I involuntarily slip out of the 
present, and lapse into the past, so full of great events, of 
thrilling scenes, of busy w^ork and earnest living, A letter, 
a memorandum, a sanitary or military report, a wounded 
soldier, or suffering soldier's widow or orphan, is the magi- 
cian's wand to lift the curtain of the past, and bring a throng 
of sad and sublime memories, scenes and persons, passed 
away forever, but never to be forgotten, 

I propose in this narrative to tell the simple story of the 
soldiers. Abler pens have recorded the lives and deeds of 
our great military leaders. The political aspects of this ter- 
rific struggle have been, and will be, discussed by statesmen 
and historians. My aim shall be to give a photographic 
view of 100,000 men, whom I have seen in hospitals, and tell 
the story of their heroism, long-suffering and patience, even 
unto death, I would sketch our great Western army,, as it 
lay in the swamps at Young's Point, and was encamped in 



38 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the ravines and ensconced in the rifle-pits at Vicksburg. I 
desire to give a correct idea of the transport life of our 
soldiers, from the hour they went forth in the freshness of 
youthful vigor, and "all the pomp and panoply of war," till 
hundreds lay prostrate with the exposure and fatigue of trans 
port life and Arkansas marches. I seem to-day, as I read a 
letter written by me from Mound City Hospital, to be enter- 
ing it for the first time. 'Twas on an April day I made my 
first visit to a military hospital. The apple-trees were in full 
bloom, and the time for the singing of birds had come. It 
was soft, balmy, and verdant as June. 

Various reports of abuses in the hospitals and the division 
of sanitary supplies, had reached the ears of the Hon. Mark 
Skinner, the foster-father of the North-western Branch of the 
U. S. Sanitary Commission, and E. W. Blatchford, its inde- 
fatigable and efficient Treasurer. These gentlemen urged 
Mrs. Livermore and myself to visit the hospitals at Cairo and 
Mound Cit}^, investigate carefully their administration and 
condition, and report to the Commission on our return. This 
we did, to the best of our abilit3\ It is not necessary here to 
sa}^ more, than that we M'ere satisfied that the sanitary stores 
were wisely appropriated, under the supervision of Mother 
Angela, at Mound Cit}', and by Miss Safford {yclej^t the 
" Cairo Angel," by the soldiers), in the hospitals of Cairo. 
I confess to a sinking heart as I first entered the wards of 
this hospital at Mound City. It was a huge brick structure, 
three stories high, whose walls alone had been erected belbre 
the war for a warehouse. At the breaking out of the rebel- 
lion, the Government fitted it up as a hospital for our sick and 
wounded soldiers. It contained 1,200 beds, its various wards 



WOUNDED SOLDIER FROM DONELSON. 39 

communicating by doors and passage-ways, so arranged that 
the eye could take in several at a glance. 

The first view revealed a succession of cots covered with 
the dainty-looking sheets 'and pillow-slips of the Sanitary 
Commission, and white counterpanes from Government. 
The inmates of these cots lay white, silent, immovable as 
marble statues. Beside each bed stood a small table, con- 
taining a sick cup, tumbler of water, and medicine. Over 
the head of each hung a slip of pasteboard with the inmate's 
number marked upon it, for men in hospitals were nameless, 
and became mere numerals. A warm sun shone through 
the open windows, and the balmy air rustled the soft white 
curtains that shaded them. The gentle touch of the hand of 
woman was visible everywhere, and on many of the cots 
"were laid boughs of fresh apple-blossoms, that made the air 
fragrant, and spoke of life and hope to the mangled and lan- 
guid heroes beneath them. 'Twould fill this volume were I 
to tell all I saw and heard this first day in the hospital. We 
paused at each cot, pressed each hand, luhen there was one 
to press, smoothed each brow, and said as many brave and 
tender words as our burdened hearts would permit. 

Our solemn round was stopped, and the current of our feel- 
ings changed, by the sunny smile of a Saxon-faced boy, with 
eyes as blue, and ha,ir as fair, as though he had never heard 
the din of battle, nor mingled in its scenes of blood and car- 
nage. He looked as I fancy David did when he went out 
to tend his father's flocks, for he was "fair of countenance," 
and had a smile, such as makes a mother's heart leap with joy 
and pride. He had scarce seen nineteen summers; yet there 
he lay as a mummy, legs and arms bandaged. And there he 



40 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

had lain five weeks, as the sister told, us, and had been that 
day turned on his side for the first time. " My boy," I said, 
as I passed my fingers through the damp curls that clustered 
round his brow, " do you suffer much? " " Not as much as I 
did," he replied. The nurse said, "We call this boy our 
miracle, for through all his long weeks of suffering, he has 
never uttered a murmur, and is almost alwaj^s as you see him 
now — smiling, happy and grateful." " Why shouldn't I be ?" 
said he; "I've the best of care, and I'm suffering for the old 
flag." " Tell me," I said, " when and where were you wound- 
ed? But first tell me, have you a mother? " The bright blue 
eyes moistened, as he said softly, "Yes, and I hear from her 
often ; but she hasn't the money to come to me, and I send her 
word never to mind, for I have almost a mother here. " We," 
looking at a boy in the adjoining cot, "are farmers' sons from 
Illinois. We lived neighbors, went to school together, and 
enlisted at the same time, in the same company. We were 
wounded about the same hour, in the attack on Donelson. 
We fell near together, and lay from Saturday morning till 
Sunday afternoon, before we were picked up." " How did that 
happen ? " I asked, quickl3^ " Why, you see," said he, " they 
were so busy taking the fort, they had no time to bother 
with us." "But did you not think it monstrous to be left 
so long without help ? " " Of course not," said he, with a 
look of astonishment, " liow could they heJj) it, tliey had to take 
the fort ; " and his eye kindled as he said, "and when she was 
taken, and we heard the cheering of the boys in the front, 
I tell you, not a man of us that could speak, but cheered., 
and even the men with only stumps tried to raise them and 
^ huzza." *' Did you suffer much ? " He bit his lip. " I don't 



FRENCH BOY-SOLDIER. 41 

like to think about tkat," he said. "We had to be chopped out, 
we were frozen so fast in the mud ; and then the rebels, the 
devils, had stripped us almost naked ; but we were thankful 
thej didn't serve us as they served some we saw. Jem," said 
he, as his "sunny face was clouded with wrath, "didn't we 
see them pin some poor fellows to the earth with their bayo- 
nets, because they tried to hold on to their watches and 
pocket-books? " "Aye, aye," said Jem ; " I want to get up 
and make them sweat for it, I do," " AVell, boys, you've had 
a hard time, and got more than you bargained for. Do you 
rue it? " " Kot a bit of it; we came in for better or worse, 
and if we got the worse we oughtn't to complain." Thus 
talked this boy, nine months only from his mother's wing. 

As I turned, I heard a groan, a rare sound in a military 
hospital. It proceeded from a French boj^, who had been 
wounded at Donelson, placed in an ambulance with his feet 
projecting, and was thus carried several miles. In conse- 
quence of this treatment, his feet were frightfully frozen. 
Every device of medical skill had been tried in vain* to save 
them. The physician had just decided they must be ampu- 
tated, and the boy, with quivering lips, was begging for the 
operation to take place. 

Opposite the French boy lay a stalwart man, an Ajax in 
proportions and muscular development. The death-like pal- 
lor of his skin contrasted painfully with the blood-stained 
clothes upon his breast. He had just been brought in from a 
gunboat, where he had been struck by a piece of shell. His 
dark eyes gazed wistfully into mine as I bathed his temples, 
and he essayed to speak ; but the tongue was stilled forever. 
He was slipping silently, but surely, into eternity. None 



42 THE BOYS IN" BLUE. 

knew his history, or whether he had wife, mother, or child to 
mourn for him. I fancied that his imploring eye told the sto- 
ry of loved ones at home, and as I sat beside him felt assured, 
from the pressure of his hand, that their memory was min- 
gling with his prayers and hopes beyond the grave. 

All scenes were not as sad as these. While we were yet lin- 
gering in the convalescent ward, a nurse approached with a 
basket of oranges, and the eager hands of scores of convales- 
cents were I'eached forth to take the tempting fruit. All of 
the men were clad in the comfortable dressing-gowns of the 
Sanitary Commission ; some were resting on their cots, or in 
their chairs ; some writing to absent friends ; some chatting 
merrily ; some reading, and some playing checkers. 'I could 
but bless God for the munificence of the good people at 
home, who kept the coffers of the noble institution supplied. 

I saw here many rebel prisoners, enjoying the same 
comforts and privileges as our men. We conversed freely 
with them, and they bore uniform testimony to the liberality 
and kindness of their treatment. A rebel surgeon had 
voluntarily given himself up as prisoner, that he might 
attend to the men of his division. He was permitted to 
do so, and furnished with medicine. At that time, none 
had conceived of the atrocities to be practised on our 
brave men, in wretched Southern prison-pens, Grod be 
praised ! no such inhumanity rests upon our skirts. In 
almost every hospital that I have visited, I have seen sick 
or wounded rebels, and can' unhesitatingly afilrm, that in 
all respects they were as well treated as our men. 

On one occasion, when visiting the naval hospital at 
Young's Point, I was taken by the surgeon to see an invention 



REBEL PRISONERS AT CAMP DOUGLAS. ' 43 

of bis skill to save a terribly shattered arm that could not 
bear any pressure. A plaster-of-paris cast had been made, 
and so nicely adjusted to the arm that it could rest and have 
soothing and cooling applications made, without the slightest 
movement of the limb. I was delighted with the ingenuity 
and success of the plan, and said, in the cheerful tones with 
which I always addressed soldiers, "Why, my dear fellow, 
your right arm, that has fought so nobly for the old flag, will 
soon be all right, and 3^ou will be ready before long to tr}^ it 
again ! " The bright smile and animated response failed to 
come as usual — moody silence and a scowl were my only 
answers. I looked inquiringly at the surgeon, and saw mis- 
chief in his eye. As I walked away, he said, chuckling, 
" You gave the rebel Major a pretty hard hit." " I am glad 
I did," I replied; "but why did you not tell me?" 
" 'Twas too good to spoil," he said, rubbing his hands in 
glee, " and he needs it." 

While on this subject I will state, that, during the winter 
of 1805, Mrs. Livermore and myself visited Camp Doug- 
las, in the vicinity of Chicago, where there were 10,000 
rebel prisoners. General Sweet, with his usual courtesy, 
furnished iis an escort to the camp, although at the time 
visitors were not allowed ; but he knew our object was 
to procure correct information. We spent the entire morn- 
ing in examining the camp; visited the barracks, the 
laundr}^, the bakery, the kitchen, the hospital, and found all 
studiously clean, well ventilated, and well supplied. The 
odor of the soup for dinner was appetizing, and the neatness 
of the kitchen inviting. The men looked healthy and con- 
tented. The number of men sick was not large in proportion 



44 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

to the huge camp, and the hospital was in excellent order. 
In all respects, it equalled in comfort the camp of the 
Federal soldiers, and filled us with wonder at the godlike 
magnanimity of a government that could and would thus 
return good for evil done to our prisouei^s, then suffering and 
dying by thousands in Southern prison-pens. Some of the 
fearful tragedies of those charnel-houses have been made 
known, and stand as a fearful blot on the civilization of the 
19th century ; or, rather, an exemplification of the " barbar- 
ism of slavery." The recording angel has written them 
where they must one day be met, in the sight of angels and 
fnen, when the tears and groans of these martyrs of liberty 
will cry aloud for vengeance. Such fearful witnesses might 
well appall the stoutest heart. "Behold the tears of the 
oppressed, and they had no comforter." (See Appendix.) 



SURRENDER OF FORT DONELSON. 45 



CHAPTEE IL 

Surrender of Fort Donelson. — Military aspect of Cairo and Missis- 
sippi River. — Battle of Pittsburg Landing. — Military aspect of St, 
Louis. — Five thousand troops marching through St, Louis. — South- 
west Missouri the earliest battle-ground of the war. — The wounded 
after the battles of Boonville, Dug Spring, Carthage, and Wilson's 
Creek. — Formation of Western Sanitary Commission. — Work of . 
Western Sanitary Commission in St. Louis. — Hospital work of St. 
Louis ladies in hospital wards. — Incidents in St. Louis Hospitals. 

No one living in the ISTorth-West, can forget the wild enthu- 
siasm occasioned by the surrender of Fort Donelson. It 
was the first decisive victory of the Union arms, and was felt 
by the people to be the pledge and forerunner of many to fol- 
low. In the garden City, Chicago, all the bells were madly 
rung, salutes were fired, schools dismissed, business suspended, 
men embraced each other in the streets and wept, processions 
were extemporized, omnibuses, express wagons, teams and 
drays, filled with the shouting multitude, drove through the 
principal thoroughfares, always stopping before the rooms of 
the Sanitary Commission to give three hearty cheers. This 
battle was fought on the 13tb, 14th, and 15th of February, 
1862. At that inclement season, our brave troops lay outside 
the intrenchments of the fort three successive days and nights, 
in a pelting storm of sleet and snow. They fought their way 
to the breastworks, and over them, inch by inch ; only stop- 



46 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ping when darkness covered them. At the close of the third 
day, victory perched on the banner of freedom ; but not until 
it had been dyed in the blood of its defenders. Gen. Grant 
received the surrender of 10,000 men, under the rebel Gen. 
Buckner ; and thus commenced that series of successes that 
placed the rank and file of our army in the foremost line of 
the world's armies, and its gallant leader at the very height 
of military renown-^the Commanding General of the unpar- 
alleled armies of the Union. 

In the midst of the hosannas of the multitude, a pang shot 
through my heart when I thought of the sacrifice the victory 
had cost, of the mangled bodies, open graves, broken hearts, 
and scattered hopes that must follow in its train. I had not, 
however, comprehended the full reality of the war till I 
reached Cairo. At home, society was nndisturbed, business 
prosperous, places of amusement filled, churches sustained, 
schools well patronized, people marrying and given in 
marriage, one going to his farm, and another to his mer- 
chandise, as though the voice of war had not been heard n 
the land, and no sacrifices were necessary. The second call 
for 300,000 more^ had not yet heen heard in almost every home 
in the land. 

At Cairo, every step kept time to martial law and music. 
The tramp, tramp, tramp, of the Boys in Blue muttered 
from morn till night. Military sentinels met ns at every 
turn. The fife and drum piped and rolled incessantl^^ 
Transports, laden to the guards with their precious living 
freight, were constantly arriving from above, and leaving 
for the Tennessee, where the Western army was massing for 
a prospective conflict — none knew when nor where. 



BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 47 

It proved to be Pittsburg Landing, which bloody battle was 
fought soon after, on the 6th and 7th of April, when the 
Western Union Army, under Gen. Grant, and the flower of 
the rebel army, under Gens. Johnston and Beauregard, met 
and tested their strength, and fought with des])eration, both 
sides feeling that the result of that battle would, to a great 
extent, settle the question, of the Western campaign. The 
rebel force had the advantage of the aUacl; under their 
chosen leaders, and perfect confidence of victory, which for 
the first day appeared to favor them. Troops less brave 
and staunch than ours, would have been faint-hearted ; per- 
haps surrendered. But No Fail was there ; and when the 
artillery was massed and skilfully disposed by Gen. Web- 
ster, the able chief of artillery, the gunboats brought into 
action, and Buell's command came up double-quick, after a 
forced march of forty miles, and rushed into action with an 
eagerness and enthusiasm that inspired the army, the tide 
turned. A battle-field miles in circumference, watered with 
human blood, and strewn with the mangled frames of 20,000 
men on both sides, told the story of the desperation of the 
fight, and the value of the victory. 

I was surprised when visiting the East, the following 
autumn, to find that the importance and magnitude of this 
fearful struggle, which commenced at Shiloh and culminated 
at Pittsburg Landing, was not appreciated therv^, as it was 
nearer to the scene of action. It must be remembered that 
representative portions of the flower of the Southern army, 
magnificently drilled and equipped, were there. I heard an 
officer who was engaged in the first brigade that met the foe, 
say, that m the midst of all the excitement of a sudden call 



48 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

to meet the outnumbering force, be could but admire the 
advancing host as it marched forward in Hue of battle, three 
deep, with the artillery at stated intervals, well covered, the 
silver equipments of the New Orleans Crescent Brigade glit- 
tering in the morning sunlight, and the well-drilled divisions, 
with their banners aloft, moving almost as one man, without 
a sound or a cry, although our musketry was pouring into 
them. They did not return the fire till within a hundred 
and fifty yards, when every weapon of war was let, loose on 
both sides, and such a fire of musketry poured out as 
literally droioned the artillery, and cut off the tops of an acre 
of saplings not thicker than a man's thumb, till they looked 
as though they had been mown by a giant reaper. The 
people of the South had, has it were, staked their all on this 
battle, and were sure to win, they thought. Their plans 
were adroitly laid. Home traitors in the Northern States 
were their sworn allies, and stood ready to aid and abet 
them when they should have wiped out the Union Arm}^, 
or so effectually crippled it that they could " carry the war 
into Africa." Telegraph wires were to be cut, transports and 
rolling-stock of the railroads seized, great pork and grain 
warehouses, and government stores, appropriated for future 
operations, with the prestige of victory to inspire their men. 
It may be said, this could not be ; nevertheless, the raids 
into Pennsylvania and Maryland, admonish us that if the 
victory of Shiloh had been a defeat, the soil of our lojal 
North "Western States would have been drenched with the 
blood of her brave volunteers, an immense amount of prop- 
erty destroyed, treason inspired and strengthened, and the 
glorious consummation deferred, God only knows how long. 



HOME TRAITORS— PASSAGE OF TROOPS AT ST, LOUIS. 49 

The gloom that pervaded the countrj'- before the victory at 
Donelson, was but a faint shadow of the gloom that defeat 
at Shiloh would have caused. All honor then to the heroes 
of these bloody fights ! They stood like a living wall of 
adamant between us and destruction, and silenced forever 
the vain boast, that "one rebel could whip five Yankees." 
Every blue-coat should be sacred, and the wives and chil- 
dren of every man who fell in our defense, be considered as 
our own charge, to be cared for and trained for usefulness. 
The day of this fearful battle of Pittsburg Landing we spent 
at Mound City Hospital, whose beds were soon after filled 
with its sufferins; heroes. 

But to return to our journey and a point of time prior to 
this memorable battle. We found the warlike atmosphere 
and military display at St. Louis, our next point, still more 
imposing and thrilling. The business of the city was pros- 
trated by the closing of the Mississippi, and by the treason 
of a large portion of her citizens. Whole blocks of stores 
were occupied as hospitals or military headquarters. Five 
thousand men, fully equipped, and two batteries with their 
guns, carriages and horses, passed through the main streets 
of St. Louis, on their way to the Tennessee, the day after 
our arrival there. The sight was not only novel, but sub- 
lime. The determined and solemn tread of the men, the 
grim looks of the "war-dogs," and. the tearful interest and 
solemn silence of the crowd of spectators, said that this was 
no holiday parade, but a stake for life or death. One 
young captain, who had travelled from Centralia with us, 
lightly touched his cap as he passed the Planters' House; 
but even his joyous face was sobered. These troops reached 



60 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Pittsburg Landing just iu time for the battle, and their ranks 
were fearfully thinned by those two long days of stand-up 
fight, loithout iiitrenchments on either side — the only such in- 
stance on the record of the loar of the rebeUion. The loss to the 
Union Army is variously estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 
men, and on the enemy's side an equal number put " hors de 
combat.^ ^ 

The fortifications of St. Louis were complete and sightly. 
General Fremont had spared neither pains nor expense in 
their erection and perfection. The breastworks were sodded 
like hanging gardens, and the trenches, with their budding 
green borders, looked peaceful and inviting. The huge guns 
were polished to silvery brightness, and stood with open 
mouths gaping at the city, ready to pour a storm of iron hail 
into her bosom, if she raised her hand against the stars and 
stripes. These peacemakers proved their right to the title. 
Our chief interest and occupation, however, were our visits to 
the numerous hospitals, then filled and in successful opera- 
tion, in St. Louis ; and the Soldiers' Home, just inaugurated. 

South-west Missouri had become the earliest battle-ground 
of the war, owing to the persistent treason of a large portion 
of her inhabitants, under the lead and inspiration of General 
Price. St. Louis, consequently, became the Headquarters 
of the Military Department of the West. During the sum- 
mer of 1861, the battles of Boonville, Dug Spring, Carthage, 
and Wilson's Creek (the monument and mausoleum of the 
renowned Gen. Lyon), had been fought with desperate valor 
and bloody results. The spontaneous creation, organization 
and immediate action of so large an army, fully accounted 
for the small amount of preparation for the care of the sick 



WEST. SAN. COMM. AND BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE. 51 

and wounded. The absence of railroad facilities in the im- 
mediate neighborhood of these battles, added greatly to their 
horrors. After the battle of Wilson's Creek, which was to 
Missouri what Shiloh was to the West, several hundred of 
our wounded men were carried in ambulances and army- 
wagons from Springfield to Rolla, over rough roads, a dis- 
tance of one hundred and twenty miles. At this point, the 
terminus of the south-west branch of the Pacific Railroad, they 
were transferred to cars, in which they could be more easily 
moved to St. Louis, where the hospital accommodations 
were found to be entirely inadequate to their comfortable 
reception. 

At this particular time, Miss D. L. Dix, a lady whose emi- 
nence in the cause of suffering humanity is well known to 
the public, was providentially in St. Louis. After a confer- 
ence with her. Gen. Fremont issued an order for the estab- 
lishment of a Western Sanitary Commission. James B. 
Yeatman, Esq., was President of the organization, and Rev. 
W. Eliot, D.D., his able and faithful co-laborer. C. S. 
Greely, Esq., J. B. Johnson, M.D., and George Partridge, 
Esq., composed the remainder of the board. 

From the commencement to the close of the war our sol- 
diers endured untold hardships, and manifested unflinching 
courage and patience. There was a large balance, however, 
in favor of those engaged in the campaigns of the last two 
years of the war. The thorough organization of the Medical 
Bureau, and increase of the supply-table, the complete ar- 
rangements and facilities for the transportation of the sick 
and wounded, greatly mitigated the sufferings of the pa- 
tients. The growing confidence of the people in the Sanitary 



52 THE BOYS IN" BLUE. 

Commissions, and the substantial aid afforded them, enabled 
their officers to cooperate much more efficiently with the 
medical staff of the army, and render them that aid they so 
much required in the discharge of their multiform and ardu- 
ous duties. The later battles were also mainly fought within 
the reach of facilities for transportation by rail or water, and 
thus the poor boys were saved torturing journeys in army 
wagons, or at best, in ambulances, over roads almost impass- 
able, over hills almost mountains, over corduroy roads, or 
bridgeless streams, through a country infested with gueril- 
las, and stripped as bare of food for men or horses, as if an 
army of locusts had swept over it. There were then com- 
paratively few hospital garments, delicacies, or even stimu- 
lants or sedatives, to- nerve the poor fellows for frightful 
operations, or the indescribable tortures of these rough 
journeys. 

At the battle of Pea Eidge, which was fought on the 7th 
of March, 1862, when the Union arm}^, led by General Curtis, 
whipped the rebels, who were thrice their number, "we had 
about a thousand killed and wounded. The battle-field was 
two hundred and fifty miles beyond Eolla; badly wounded 
men could not be removed such a distance, with such insuf- 
ficient transportation, and were consequently obliged to 
depend on extemporized hospitals, consisting of churches, 
barns, public buildings, or the dwellings of their ene- 
mies, totally unsuited to their necessities; or were sent 
forward to Springfield, one hundred and thirty miles distant, 
because there was no place for them at a nearer point. My 
blood chills as I pen these lines ; for I remember the agony 
of those whom I have seen carefully borne on stretchers, 



SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED IN TRANSPORTATION. 53 

properly stimulated, skilfully treated, and supplied with all 
the comforts and delicacies of the Sanitary Commissions, 
What must have been the sufferings of these earlier heroes 
of the war, when racked and torn with joltings that taxed 
my utmost strength, when in perfect health, in a few miles' 
ride, God and themselves only know ; but through all this, 
their patience failed not, and their fortitude remained un- 
shaken. I well remember, while in St. Louis, meeting a 
sanitary agent who had just returned from a journey to take 
supplies to the sufferers at Pea Ridge. He said he had seen 
a deal of war before, but never such a mass of mangled, 
parched, filthy, unshaven and unshorn humanity as he saw at 
Pea Ridge. I asked how they bore this accumulation of 
horrors. " Like angels, not men," he said ; " and were as 
grateful for the supplies I took them as if they had been 
convicts, not heroes icho had earned them ! " This spirit was 
born with the army, and remained with it from the begin- 
ning to the end, and has baffled all investigation to discover 
its cause. It was one manifestation of God's power in the 
work of our national redemption. 

But to the hospitals. In some respects, the arrangements 
of those in St. Louis differed from any that wc have seen else- 
where during the war. A lai'ge marble front building, five 
stories higE, had been rented at a nominal price, and fitted up 
as a military hospital. In the nature of the case, the ventila- 
tion could not be as perfect as in a building erected for the 
purpose ; but the admirable arrangements for bathing, diet- 
kitchens, and all possibilities of light and air, marvellously 
supplied the deficiency. An efficient, intelligent, and refined 
female was placed in charge of the diet-kitchen, which means 



54 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

simply a room, range, and cooking-utensils, suitable for the 
preparation of delicacies for the sick. The specialty to which 
I refer is this : over the wards of these hospitals presided ten- 
der, earnest women, from the best families of the city, who 
had volunteered to visit them daily, administer to the comfort 
and welfare of their inmates in various ways, and see that 
each man was supplied with all that he required or desired, 
if suitable for him. The effect of this arrangement was more 
easily felt than described. 

I have visited many institutions more spacious, com- 
plete, scientific, and inviting in their externals; but have 
never seen one that had such a home-like air, such an 
abandon of manner among the inmates, such a perfect 
confidence, manly independence, and manifest sense of 
motherly and sisterly kindness, as the St. Louis Fifth Street 
Hospital, except Mother Bickerdyke's hospital at the Gay- 
oso Block, Memphis — in fact, wherever she was found. We 
had an admirable opportunity of witnessing the routine of 
these noble women's daily hospital labors, as we sojourned 
under the roof of an old and dear friend at St. Louis, who 
not only stood firm when patriotism was at a discount, but 
devoted herself and her abundant means to the relief of the 
suffering soldiers. A daughter at home conducted the cor- 
respondence for the ward, notified wives and mothers that 
their loved ones were smitten with disease, or prostrate with 
wounds, or perchance sleeping the sleep that knows no 
waking. A precious lock was clipped from each weary 
head before it was laid away to rest. The cherished photo- 
graph of wife or mother, that had been carried next his heart 
or clasped in his dying hand, the porte-monnaie, the watch, 



ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL, 55 

the chain, the knife, the Testamen-t — ahiiost the only treas- 
ures a soldier can cling to through the march and fight — 
were carefully secured and transmitted, with words of love 
and sympathy, as if from the pen of kindred. 

Each day, as we sat at breakfast, large covered baskets 
were brought in, filled with choice dainties from the bounti- 
ful table, and a raid made on the well-filled larder of the 
cook. She received her orders for so many gallons of soup 
at noon, or fresh boiled eggs, or rice puddings, or sago, or 
jelly, as the case might be, for each man had been consulted, 
his wants recorded and gratified, unless forbidden by the 
surgeon. The sons were delegated to purchase oranges and 
grapes, to be carried to the ward at such an hour. The 
carriage was ready to convey us thither when we rose from 
the table, the mistress of the mansion, oftentimes, not to 
return to her luxurious home till daylight had departed. 
"Within a stone's throw dwelt two noble women of large 
means, who had come from Philadelphia and joined in this 
labor of love and patriotism. Years afterwards they had the 
mournful privilege of sheltering one of St. Louis's noblest 
hospital laborers in their Philadelphia home, when she had 
contracted a fatal disease in a hospital of that city, where she 
was studying surgical nursing- for the purpose of laboring as 
nurse for the soldiers more efficiently than ever. The very 
countenances of the men told the tale of such womanly, 
refined, unselfish devotion to their interests. When no 
minister of God was near, these holy women read the Bible 
and prayed with the humble, oft penitent heroes, and went 
down with them to the shores of the silent river. 

One morning, when walking a ward of the Fifth Street 



56 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Hospital, we noticed a mutilated and attenuated form, his foot 
amputated, ancr his face literally turned to the wall. Mor- 
tification had commenced, a secondary operation had been 
declared useless, and he had been told he must die before the 
rising of another sun. His spirit rose in rebellion. He said 
he could not die without seeing his wife and child. The 
doctor must save him that long, and then he relapsed into 
gloomy silence. The gentle woman in charge of the ward 
bent over him till the big tears plashed on his despairing 
face. She did not speak for some minutes; then, clasping 
her hands, in a low tone she prayed for him. The heavenly 
medicine reached the heart; the stern will w^as subdued. 
He joined in her petition for resignation, and at the close 
devoutly said, " Thy will, Lord, be done." He then 
requested that a letter might be written to his wife, contain- 
ing his last message of love and hopes of heaven, where he 
was sure to meet her; and added, "Don't forget to send her 
a lock of my hair ; she'll think a sight of it." He asked one 
more favor: " Won't you sta)^ with me to the last, dear lady, 
if you can stand it?" "I will," she replied; and she did. 
As the shades of evening gathered, she clipped the lock of 
hair and closed the sightless eyes, and then went home to 
write to Mary and the little one. 

In a ward of the Fourth Street Hospital lay a rebel drum- 
mer-boy. He had evidently been trained by a tender mother, 
and received a mother's care in the hospital. After many 
fluctuations between life and death, the scale went down, 
and the surgeon told the lady visitor she must tell her 
young charge he had but a few days to live. With 
a faint heart, but with motherly tenderness, she fulfilled 



KEBEL DRUMMER-BOY. 57 

the sad task. He was greatly distressed at first, and 
said, "0/ canH I see my mother V "No, my bo}'-," she 
replied, "but/ will be your mother, and write to her and 
tell her all about you, and just what you tell me." He was 
comforted ; and after lying silent for a while, looked up. 
" Tell her," he said, drawing his little Testament from under 
his pillow, " I have read this whenever I could, and never 
forgotten what she taught me about Jesus. Tell her I love 
Him, and hope to meet her in heaven." He then looked ear- 
nestly at the lady and said, " Can you love me when I am 
on the other side?" "Surely I can, my dear boy; you 
knew not what you did." She saw there was something 
unasked that he wanted, and she pressed him to tell her. 
"Lady," said he, "will you kiss me like my mother, every 
day while I live, and when I come to die will you stay with 
me and kiss me at the last?" "I will," she said, stooping 
over, and giving him his mother's kiss. And so she did 
daily, and it always brought a grateful smile of love. At 
last the shadow of the sable-winged messenger deepened, 
and the boy sank rapidly. The surgeon endeavored to per- 
suade the faithful watcher to leave, as she was weary, and 
the boy unconscious. She refused, for she had given her 
word she would remain till the last, and she did. When 
the spirit seemed almost gone, earth receding, and heaven 
opening, she bent over him and imprinted one last kiss on 
the marble brow. The thin fingers that she held quivered, 
the eyes faintly opened, and the shadow of a smile flitted 
over the pale face. 

I cannot take leave of St. Louis and its noble men and 
women, without bearing my feeble testimony to the admira- 



68 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ble organizcation and efficient management of the various 
branches of hospital relief under their care. James E. 
Yeatman, Esq., devoted his entire time to the work of the 
Commission, and brought all his rare executive ability, large 
business experience, and humane heart, to bear upon this 
great scheme of benevolence and patriotism. Not satisfied 
with incessant labor at home, he visited the active field of 
almost the entire Western army, and from personal inspec- 
tion and contact with the men, became infused with their 
spirit, appreciated and understood them and their necessities. 
His courtesies, and the opportunities afforded to us as dele- 
gates of the North- Western branch of the United States Com- 
mission, were of much value, and were gratefully appreciated. 
Dr. Eliot, his co-laborer, is so extensively known for his 
ability, earnestness, and single-heartedness, that it will be 
readily understood that two such men, sustained and sur- 
rounded by the noble band of women with whom we met, 
and of whom we heard, were able to perform a work and 
bless our Union army, so as to turn back the stealthy foe, and 
with God's blessing save thousands of lives and incalculable 
suffering. I will only add, that from the beginning to the end 
of the war, the Western Commission and the United States 
Sanitary Commission, of which I shall soon speak, walked 
side by side in the Western armies, and maintained to the 
last good-fellowship and wholesome rivalry without jealousy 
or vituperation. 



SKETCH OF U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 50 



CHAPTER HI. 

Sketcli of TJ. S. Sanitary Commission. — Its origin, — Its work in hos- 
pital cars and at the battles of Eastern and Western armies. — Poetic 
contribution by a private, — Dr. Bellows and Mr. Yeatman. 

From the fact that the supplies of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission were found not to be keeping pace with the 
expansion of the army, it was determined by the members 
of that Commission to call together the female representatives 
of its various branches, in order to organize more thoroughly 
the work of supply, and secure a steady, reliable stream of 
those comforts, found by the experience of almost two years, 
to be so indispensable to the' relief of sick and wounded 
soldiers. Mrs. Livermore and myself were se]ected by the 
Board of the Chicago, or North-Western Branch, to represent 
them in the Woman's Council, held at Washington, Novem- 
ber, 1862. In the face of almost insuperable obstacles of a 
domestic character, we yielded to their urgent wishes and 
attended the meeting. 

We had both labored with the Commission from the begin- 
ning of the war, as occasion demanded, but were not familiar 
with its history or plans ; content to work as opportunity 
offered. At Washington we met the representative women 
of all the Eastern branches, but none from the West. We 
had the privilege, while there, of ascertaining the cause and 



60 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

facts of the origin of this great organization, its animus and 
modus operandi. A brief sketch of what we learned on these 
matters, will be a proper introduction to the account of our 
visit to Washington, which was fraught with interesting inci- 
dents, and led us into the war life, which occupied all our 
powers of body and mind, frotn that time till the collapse of 
the rebellion. The necessity for an organized effort to miti- 
gate the horrors of war, and prevent or alleviate the sufferings 
of our brave volunteers, who had so promptly rushed to 
arms, occasioned the establishment of the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission. The experiment of rendering some such assist- 
ance had been successfully made in the Crimean war, and had 
saved thousands of lives, elevated the morale of the army, 
and made the name of Florence Nightingale not only immor- 
tal, but a household word wherever Christianity prevails, as 
the pioneer of female effort and relief in camps and hospitals. 
It is with some excusable pride I record the fact, that the 
first meeting in the United States, to consider and act upon 
the necessities of our soldiers and plan for their relief, was one 
of fifty or sixty women, called in New York, April 25, 1S61, 
just ten days after the fall of Sumter. D. D. Field, Esq., was 
its chairman. The Eev. Dr. Bellows explained the objects of 
the meeting. The nation was then trembling in the balance. 
Men's hearts failed them, and their knees smote one against 
another. Vice-President Hamlin was in New York, it was 
said, to make such arrangements as it was feared would 
be necessary to transfer the official power of the Government 
to that city, for the rebel forces threatened to interpose and 
cut off communication with Washington. No -wonder he 
made an eloquent speech on that occasion. The national 



U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 61 

pulse was quickened, patriotism aroused, and in its holy 
enthusiasm burst over all boundaries, and went on increasing 
till, on April 15, 1865, the Stars and Stripes waved again 
in triumph over the sea-girt walls of Sumter, as the nation 
had declared they should. 

At this woman's meeting a committee of organization was 
appointed, that brought in articles which united the women 
of New York in a society, called the " Woman's Central 
Eelief Association," which continued its faithful labors to 
the end of the war. Dr. Bellows, who has advised and 
shaped to a considerable extent the benevolence of thous- 
ands of the women of the land engaged in sanitary work, 
went on to Washington to ascertain what aid was needed 
by the Government in this emergency, and what it would 
permit a voluntary association to do. While there, to use 
the words of another, he arrived at the basis of the 
Sanitary Commission, and thus "the wisdom and devotion 
of one man gained on that day the greatest relief to suffering 
humanity, ever wrought out by any human organization." 
In the face of overwhelming labors already pressing upon 
him. Dr. Bellows accepted the position of President of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, and performed its hercu- 
lean labors to the end of the war, never relaxing his zeal or 
efforts, and has received as the only reward for this self-sacri- 
ficing labor, the approval of his own conscience, and a knowl- 
edge of the vast amount of relief the Commission has been 
able to bestow on our sick and suffering army. 

On the 9th of June, 1861, the Commission was ordered by 
Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, and approved by the Pre- 
sident. The Board of the United States Sanitary Commission 



62 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

added to its numbers from time to time, till they increased to 
twenty-one. The doctor was singularly favored in his asso- 
ciates. They were such men as Dr. Elisha Harris, Professors 
A. D. Bache and Wolcott Gibbs, the able and administrative 
Drs. Van Buren and Agnew, the skilful financier and faithful 
treasurer, George T. Strong, Esq., &;c., and that marvellous 
genius of organization, F. Law Olmstead, who took the great 
conception of the Commission, moulded and elaborated it 
into an almost perfect system. Thus managed, it went for- 
ward in its labor of love, with a widening, deepening chan- 
nel ; its wants fully supplied to the end, by the increased 
confidence and love of the people. The munificence of Cali- 
fornia to the United States Sanitary Commission was remark- 
able. She pledged herself for the sum of $25,000 monthly 
during the war, and expressed entire confidence in the wis- 
dom of its management, placing no limitation as to the dis- 
tribution of her funds. This prompt and liberal assistance, 
and constant support in the early history of the Commission, 
enabled it to continue its disbursements, and carry out its 
great and varied plans of relief, until success had secured 
the confidence of the people, and stimulated supplies in pro- 
portion to necessities. 

The work of the U. S. Sanitary Commission was twofold 
— prevention and relief. Although in the prosecution of its 
vast labors, the system was greatly extended and elaborated, 
its entire work might properly be classed under these two 
heads, thus proving the breadth and wisdom of its conception. 

The Sanitary Commission was never intended to supplant 
or interfere with the Government in its care of the troops. 
It was the supplement to the Medical Department, and was 



U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 63 

rendered necessary by the sudden expansion of the army 
and the incapacity of the Medical Bureau to meet the result- 
ing exigency. It proposed by careful inspection and re- 
search, to ascertain the most approved methods of sanitary 
reform in camps and hospitals, and by tracts, personal effort, 
and counsel with the medical staff, to introduce them into 
the armv. It aimed to be, and was, the handmaiden of our 

%i 7 7 

beneficent government ; not her critic or her foe. It was 
the golden link that bound " the boys in blue" to their homes 
of love and comfort. It was the magnetic zone that encircled 
the army, and by establishing the silent but significant inter- 
course that reached everywhere, and was constantly main- 
tained, elevated the morale of our unexampled army, and 
made them feel, though they had gone out from us they 
were still of us. 

I shall endeavor to show the modus operandi of the U. S. 
Sanitary Commission, by representative cases, as I proceed 
with this narrative, believing that these illustrations will bet- 
ter prove its work than bare statistics or general statements. 

Whenever I visited the army, it was under the auspices of 
this Commission, consequently the scenes I portray, and the 
incidents I relate, were met in connection with that organi- 
zation. My statements of the extensive relief and comfort 
that I saw given to our suffering soldiers, are the best refu- 
tation I can furnish of the industriously circulated slanders 
that nothing scarcely reached the soldiers. The most em- 
phatic denial that I can offer to the sweeping denunciations 
of surgeons, female nurses, and hospital stewards, is to state 
what I witnessed of their laborious and faithful efforts in be- 
half of the army. The most comprehensive view I can im- 



64 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

part of the women's portion of this work^ is to photograph 
an aid society, and ask you to multiply it by 15,000. The 
best idea I can convey of the sacrifices of wives and mothers, 
is to hold up isolated cases, and ask 3'ou to multiply them 
indefinitely. 

At the close of this brief and imperfect outline of the con- 
ception, organization and intentions of the Commission, I 
proceed to give a rapid sketch of its relief work in different 
departments of the Union army. In the commencement of 
its work, the U. S. Sanitary Commission confined its distri- 
bution of supplies to the sick of the fresh regiments, constantly 
arriving at Washington. 

From the confusion and inexperience consequent on a new 
and sudden organization, it was impossible for the officers of 
the army to meet these exigencies. After the disastrous 
flight at Bull Eun, the relief work began, by supplying the 
fainting fugitives with cold water. While the Army of the 
Potomac lay around Washington, the Commission gave 
relief to each regiment, and sent supplies to the wounded 
after the battles of Edwards' Ferry, Ball's Bluff, and 
Drainesville. The full strength of the newly-fledged powers 
of the Sanitary Commission in the relief work, were not 
developed and exercised till the Peninsular campaign of the 
spring and summer of 1862. At that time the Commission 
applied to the Quartermaster-General for a steamer, to be 
used as a hospital transport. The Secretary of War issued 
an order to that effect, and the Daniel Webster was assigned 
to the Commission, April 25, 18G2, for the reception and 
conveyance of sick and wounded soldiers. Then followed 
the Ocean Queen, capable of containing one thousand 



POETRY BY PRIVATE OF IGxn REG., N. Y. VOLS. G5 

patients, and the Elm City, and the Knickerbocker, and 
Spaukliug, etc., etc., ^n quick succession. 

These steamers went back and forth from battle-fiekls to 
Northern hospitals like winged messengers of mercy. Could 
the cabins and decks of these vessels tell the story of the ago- 
nies within their precincts, and disclose to the patient home- 
workers wlio supplied the funds and filled the store-houses of 
the Sanitary Commission, the blessed results of their work, 
methinks the heart of every man, woman, and child who had — >. 
helped to work out this great salvation of our army would I 

leap with joy, and the hearts and hands of those who withheld / 
both time and money would be paralyzed at their own supine- ' 
ness. The beautiful manifestation of the love and heroism of \ 

the laborers in those revolting scenes would appear, as it was, 
the silver lining to the cloud of war. Their names, like the 
"Boys in Blue" whom they won back again to life, are 
unheralded with victories, but are recorded higher up, where 
"God seeth not as man seeth, and judgeth not as man 
judgeth." The following graceful tribute to one of these 
hidden workers expresses the prevailing feeling of the "rank 
and file " toward these ministering angels. As they are the 
production of a private's pen, and the tribute of a private's 
heart, they are eminently entitled to a place in this volume. 
They were written by a member of the 16th Eegiment, New 

York Volunteers, and addressed to Mrs. ^, after being 

under her care on a Commis'sion boat at "White House : — 

" From old St. Paul till now, 
Of honorable women not a few 
Hare left their golden ease, in love to do 
The saintly work which Christ-hke hearts pursue. 



/" 



0\ 



66 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

" And such art thou — Grod's fair apostle — 
Bearing his love in war's horrific train ; 
Thy blessed feet follow its ghastly pain, 
And misery and death without disdain, 

" To one borne from the sullen battle's roar, 
Dearer the greeting of thy gentle eyes, 
When he aweary, torn, and bleeding, lies. 
Than aU the glory that the victors prize. 

" When peace shall come, and homes shall smile again, 
A thousand soldiers' hearts in Northern climes, 
Shall tell their little children in their rhymes 
Of the sweet saint who blest the old war times." 

The Sanitary Commission aimed at military exactness 
and method in its work, in order to secure the, greatest 
possible amount of relief in the shortest time, and not to 
interfere with established army regulations. The charge of 
red-tape, that was sometimes urged against its work, grew 
out of the methodical arrangement of the various parts. No 
human organization is perfect ; consequently, by the ineffi- 
ciency or carelessness of agents, no doubt at times there was 
unnecessary delay. In my extended experience in the work 
of the Commission, I am prepared to testify, that its strict 
adherence to method and precision, maintained to the last 
the confidence of the army and the people. 

As an exemplification of this organized method, the corps 
of workers for hospital transports was subdivided into squads. 
At the landing on the Potomac, to which the eastern boats 
returned from northern hospitals, was a certain number of 
men and women, under the guidance and direction of Mr. 
Olmstead, who for a time gave himself, with all his com- 



HOSPITAL TRANSPORTS. 67 

manding executive ability, to this work. When the freight 
or hospital cars from the battle-field, or ambulances and 
stretchers from nearer hospitals arrived, they were ready for 
them. The stretchers were carried up the companion-way, 
or elevated by pulleys, lowered in the same manner to the 
cabin, and the men then hoisted to the berths, or placed 
on cots. Many of these men were raving in the delirium 
of fever, fainting from exhaustion, or maddened with 
festering or undressed wounds, unamputated limbs, and rag- 
ing. thirst, which must be quenched before the removal could 
take place. Sometimes these terrible processions came so 
thick and fast, that every berth was filled ; then the cabin- 
floor, then the guards and the gang-way and hurricane- 
deck and the hold, till the vessel, from stem to stern, became 
a mass of wounds and bruises and putrefying sores. So 
closely were these men packed, that scarce room was left 
to plant the foot of relief without touching the quivering 
mass of nerves. Even if the foot of the merciful found a 
base of operations, it was oft-times submerged in the blood 
of the sufferers. Thus it was after Shiloh's bloody battle. The 
cabin floor of the hospital boat, where the operations were 
performed, ran in streams of blood, and legs and arms, as 
they were rapidly dismembered, formed a stack of human 
limbs. 

Those men and women who went from Chicago to Cairo, 
to meet the boats bearing the wounded from Pittsburg 
Landing, and had courage to enter these receptacles of 
Imman misery, carrying cold water, stimulants, sponges and 
bandages, thought their dreadful work was done when they 
had waded through three decks of mangled heroes. When 



68 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

about to leave, they heard piteous moans. Following them, 
they reached the hold of the vessel that was crowded with 
the worst cases, begging for water, air, or wife or child, to 
help them. As they stood petrified with horror, the gurgling 
and gasping sound of dissolving nature was heard. Little 
could be seen, for darkness reigned, except the dim light of 
the lantern, which only served to make the darkness visible. 
'Twas well perhaps this hold of misery was curtained, for 
that night of horrors would bear no additions. Stretchers 
were brought, and these battered, often almost remnants of 
bodies, were tenderly laid upon them, carried to the ampu- 
tation-room or hospitals, where clean cots, gleaming white 
sheets, pillow-slips, fresh bandages and shirts, restoratives or 
sedatives were applied, life restored sufficiently to open eyes, 
and loosen tongues to cry out, " Oh ! this is just like home." 
Miss Safford, of Cairo, met many such fearful proces- 
sions. Her slight form and elastic step, seemed not to 
touch the plank as she flew down with her basket on her 
arm, and found a footing as a bird does on a spray ; and so 
the soldiers called her the "Cairo Angel." With a calm 
dignity and self-poise that never blanched at any sight of 
horror, with a quiet energy and gentle authority that com- 
manded willing obedience, she gave her orders to the nurses, 
dressers and stewards, till rapidly and imperceptibly she 
brought light out of darkness, and order out of confusion*. 
She toiled on thus a year or more, in connection with 
the North-western Branch U. S. Sanitary Commission, 
spending largely of her own means, and washing even the 
dust-stained feet of the suffering heroes, till the frail form 
bent lower and still lower, the color faded from her cheek, 



HOSPITAL TRANSPORTS. 09 

the light from her eye, the spring from her step, and her 
loving friends forced her away from her labor of love to 
sunny France and Italy, and the bracing air of the Alps, to 
drink in fresh health. After years of suffering, she still 
lives, alas ! not yet restored. " God bless the Cairo Angel," 
say the " heroes of the rank and file ;" and so say all that knew 
her and her blessed work. To go back to Yorktown, White 
House, or Harrison's Landing, the successive bases of the 
Sanitary Commission on the Potomac. A second squad of 
the hospital corps was detailed to accompany the patients 
North, to the hospitals. These patient workers were taxed 
to the utmost to meet the continued requisitions of hospital 
transports. I have labored on more than one of these, and 
can testify, no duty was more exhausting in its character, 
nor more important in its results. It lacked the excite- 
ment of the first rush of the army of sufferers, but required 
that patience, tenderness and skill that fail not, neither grow, 
weary. The number of the attendants was generally limited, 
and the wants of the patients innumerable, as they recovered 
consciousness, or approached convalescence. 

The comprehensive and extensive S3^stem of hospital 
transports, was continued by the Commission from this 
time forward, in the armies of the "West as well as the East; 
and when the battle-field was inaccessible to water transporta- 
tion, hospital cars, with swinging hammocks, were fitted up, 
and kept running continually from Chattanooga to Louisville. 
The battles of Fair Oaks, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettys- 
burg, and the later battles in Yirginia, as well as the battles 
of Gauley's Bridge, Donelson, Shiloh, Perrysville, Yicksburg, 
Corinth, Missionary Eidge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta — in 



70 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

fine, the entire brilliant series of the Western battles, were 
relieved and supplied in a surprising manner, with clothing, 
delicacies, stimulants, vegetables, sour-krout and anti-scorbu- 
tics, till the Sanitary Commission became the watchword of 
the sick soldier, and the rainbow of promise on the dark 
cloud of war. Ship Island, the Teche country, North and 
South Carolina, New Orleans — indeed, the whole Department 
of the Gulf — shared its benefits, and at a later period in 
the history of the war, ship-loads of supplies were sent to 
Savannah, with the members of the Commission attending 
them, often at great personal sacrifice. 

The work of inspection performed by the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission in the army, has been but little understood by 
the people at large. Its results were prodigious, and were 
thus appreciated by the army and sanitary workers. The 
experience of the British troops in the Crimean war had 
taught a fearful lesson of mortality consequent upon a lack 
of sanitary precautions. The deaths in that army in Janu- 
ary, 1853, amounted to ninetj^-seven per cent, from disease. 
By the introduction of sanitary reforms, they were reduced 
in ten months to twenty-five per cent. In our American 
army, even in the swamps of the Peninsula, where malarious 
poison was as rife and deadly as in the Crimea, the mortality 
did not exceed sixteen and a half per cent, from disease. No 
one will assert that this vast difference was owing to the 
superior material of our troops. 

The experience of the Crimean war had led the Sanitary 
Commission to investigate the subject, and their scientific 
deductions and applications of sanitary principles, for the pre- 
vention as well as cure of disease in camps and hospitals, are 



FEDERAL PRINCIPLE OF U. S. SAN. COMMISSION. 71 

the only satisfactory solution of this gratifying fact. The 
Soldiers' Homes, Lodges, and Rests, under the care of the Sani- 
tary Commission, were limited only by their necessity. The 
Back-Pay Agencies secured vast amounts of blood-bought 
earnings that would have otherwise been lost to the brave fel- 
lows, too feeble or too poor to prosecute their claims, and the 
Commission has just closed this branch of its work. The 
Hospital Directory, established in each department of the 
Sanitary Commission, enabled friends to ascertain the situa- 
tion of their sick and wounded relatives, as its connection with 
hospitals and regiments was as prompt and accurate as the 
nature of the case would admit, and enabled thousands to 
reach and nurse their friends, and as many more to secure 
their precious remains. 

The supply work of the Commission was plnced chiefly 
in the hands of the patriotic women of the lai'id, who 
stimulated and furnished the enormous amount of com 
forts and delicacies that saved so large a number of lives 
and alleviated so much suffering. The system of sanitary 
depots, hospital-transports, hospital-cars, diet-kitchens, and 
relief-stations, completed the circle of sanitary labor, that 
embraced in its beneficent arms the sick and wounded of the 
Union army ; lifting them from battle-fields into stretchers 
and ambulances, plying them with restoratives, placing them 
in clean cots, clothing them afresh, and vigorously guarding 
them from neglect or abuse. By its quick and untrammelled 
movements, the Sanitary Commission often stayed the ebbing 
tide of life, till care and nursing could complete the work of 
restoration. The entire labors of the Sanitary Commission 
were based on the federal principle. Its ministrations were 



72 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

not limited by State boundaries, and it knew no soldiers but 
the soldiers of the Union. Although its broad and just policy 
excluded sectional zeal, and appealed only to the most en- 
larged patriotism, it grew rapidly in favor, and, it is believed, 
strengthened and developed the federal principle for which 
our armies were contending, and which is the only true 
basis of our nationality. 

This imperfect sketch is a bare and meagre outline of the 
blessed work of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. Its com- 
plete history, and the record of its teachings and experience, 
will ere long be furnished for the satisfaction of its hearty 
friends and liberal contributors ; also as a guide to future 
patriots and philanthropists. 



CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 73 



CHAPTER lY. 

Christian Commission. — Its organization, work, and extensive useful- 
ness. — Letter from Mrs. Dufl&eld, of Dettoit. — Letter from Agent of 
Cliristian Commission at Brazos. — Ladies' Relief Society of Philadel- 
phia. — Governors and State Sanitary Commissions. — Board of Trade, 
Chicago. — Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Wright. 

In the second year of the war there was a strong desire on 
the part of the Churches of the land to provide for the spirit- 
ual wants of the soldiers, as the Sanitary Commission was 
providing for their temporal necessities, although, as I have 
reason to know, they often did more than that. In view of 
the separation of , these men from their homes and religious 
privileges, the destitution of religious reading, and the temp- 
tations of camp life, an organization to meet these emergen- 
cies was formed January 28, 1862. The president of this 
highly important organization was George H. Stuart, of 
Philadelphia, a man eminent for religious zeal, and liberality 
in proportion to his large means and high position. He had 
been mainly instrumental in its formation, and continued to 
be its ruling spirit till the close of the war. Joseph Patter- 
son, Esq., of Philadelphia, was treasurer, and Rev. W. E. 
Boardman, secretary. Under the guidance and inspiration 
of such men, the organization rapidly grew in power and 
influence, and extended its missionary work to a million of 
men within the army lines — a work as sublime and extensive, 



74 THE BOYS IN" BLUE. 

in a spiritual point of view, as that of the Sanitary Commission 
in a temporal one. As the Christian Commission lengthened 
its cords and strengthened its stakes, it was deemed expedient 
bj some of those who controlled its operations, that a provi- 
sion for its supply work should be more extensively secured 
within its own organization. In its earlier history the sup- 
plies were entirely drawn by its delegates from the U. 
S. Sanitary Commission, whose business and pleasure it 
was to furnish them, whenever it could be done without 
interfering with the systematic rules of the relief work of the 
Commission. 

In order to stimulate supplies and donations, branches 
were established in all the loyal States, circulars and 
appeals sent out, and meetings of a deeply interesting 
character held in all the principal cities, not excepting the 
national capital. Societies, tributary to the Christian Com- 
mission, were formed throughout the country, and a large 
amount of money and supplies contributed. I take pleasure in 
quoting a paragraph from the printed report of the Christian 
Commission, published April, 1864: : "Our relations to the 
Sanitary Commission have been of a most kind and pleasant 
character. They have received at their storerooms, and for- 
warded, all supplies destined for Nashville and points beyond, 
with a degree of promptness truly commendable. The work 
of the two Commissions has thus been blended, like the union 
of the body and soul for which they labor." 

I had the privilege of visiting the Army of the Tennessee 
in the winter of 1863, with W. Reynolds, Esq., the indefati- 
gable and able President of the Pennsylvania Branch of the 
Christian Commission. I also met the devoted Burnell, one 



LIBERAL CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 76 

of its delegates, in the swamps at Young's Point. In both 
cases I felt the blessing of united action, and the supplemen- 
tary relation of each Commission to the other. Mr. Reynolds 
was the warm friend of both Commissions, and confirmed what 
I had heard, by saying that he blessed God for the Sanitary 
Commission, from whose stores he drew ad libitum whenever 
he visited the army, which was very frequently. In like 
manner I found the stores of religious books, tracts, and 
soldiers' hymn-books, always on hand by the Christian 
Commission, invaluable to me in my visitations. 

Some good people feared that two such great organizations 
could not work in the same field without collision. For this I 
could see no reason, as they formed component parts of a great 
whole. In the words of Mrs. Isabella Duffield, of Detroit, in a 
letter published by the Christian Commission, " I think of the 
Christian and Sanitary Commissions as twin brothers going 
forward to their glorious work." It must be admitted, with 
the imperfection consequent on all human efforts, there was 
at times suspicion of interference. At the front, however, 
they worked shoulder to shoulder. This I have continually 
witnessed in the armies of the "West. The Rev. Edward P. 
Smith, a prominent official of the Christian Commission, and 
Rev. Dr. Thompson, of New York, both bore similar testi- 
mony in a letter published by them after visits to the army. 
I take great pleasure in introducing a letter received by 
E. W. Blatchford, Esq., Treasurer of the North-western 
Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission, dated 
March 13, 1866: 

(Copy.) Bbazos, Santiago, Texas. 

E. W. Blatchford, Esq. — Dear Sir — As the work of the 



76 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Christian Commission in Texas draws to its close, I feel it to 
be my privilege to acknowledge the receipt of large supplies 
of stores from the North-western Sanitary Commission. 

We had expected, from the nature of the supplies, to have 
lost a large percentage in transportation, but what was 
our joy and surprise to find, in all, only twelve packages 
missing. One box of whiskey perished between Brazos and 
Brownsville. I have never known of stores being more 
judiciously applied, especially butter and fruit, the latter of 
which was prepared in our rooms and carried to the sick 
three times a day. All the sick on tjae line of the Rio Grande 
River have not wanted for comforts during the past four 
months. The hospital work, both at Brazos and Browns- 
ville, has been superintended by Mrs. Jeremiah Porter (agent 
of the North-western Branch U. S. Sanitary Commission), 
who has been interested in the spiritual and bodily welfare 
of our soldiers. We thank God she has been in our midst. 
To me the work of both Commissions has been precious, 
and I return hence thankful that I have been privileged 
to labor in such a heavenly field. 
Truly yours, 
(Signed) Wm. Kirkby, Agent C. C, 

26 th Army Corps. 

Denominations not acting with the Christian Commission, 
formed their own organizations to supply the spiritual wants 
of the soldiers embracing their views, and labored zealously 
in their behalf, sending reading matter, bibles, hymn-books, 
and delegates. I could no more tell the story of the " Boys 
in Blue " without the Commissions and their glorious leaders, 



ladies' relief society of PHILADELPHIA. 77 

than I could talk of the war of the rebellion without the 
Stars and Stripes, and Grant and Sherman. When the 
history of this war shall be read, and its leaves turned over 
in sickening horror, the pure white pages that tell the story 
of the Commissions and kindred institutions, embracing in 
their arms the sick and wounded scattered over three thou- 
sand miles of army lines, supplying their spiritual and tem- 
poral wants, will be as oases in the desert and springs of 
water in a dry and thirsty land. 

I would make honorable mention of still another associa- 
tion, the "Ladies' Belief Society of Philadelphia." It was 
an independent organization. Mrs. Judge Joel Jones was 
its president; Mrs. Stephen Colwell, treasurer; Mrs. Dr. 
Harris, secretary. The indefatigable Mrs. Harris repre- 
sented this Society in the army, and carried blessings in her 
train. I was informed by its officers that almost unasked 
the monthly contribution of $1200 was paid into the treas- 
ury, and thus supplied materials for the continued work of 
the Society. Under the admirable management of such 
women it became a power for good to the suffering soldiers. 
The letters of Mrs. Dr. Harris, who writes as well as she 
works, have been published by the Society and extensively 
read. They are deeply interesting, and will well repay perusal. 

The Governors of the North -western States threw them- 
selves into the army work with an ardor that was as striking 
as any other feature of this remarkable war. They stumped 
their respective States to stimulate enlistments. Eichard 
Yates, Governor of Illinois, achieved miracles in this respect, 
and then followed the brave boys to the field with sympathy, 
love, and assistance, and frequently visited them in person. 



78 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Governor Harvey, the beloved ruler of Wisconsin, found a 
watery grave at Pittsburg Landing, wbither he had gone to 
watch over the interests of the Wisconsin soldiers ; and his 
bereaved widow has, since his death, devoted her entire time 
to soldiers' interests. Governor Morton's careworn face, 
when I last met him at Vicksburg, revealed the secret of 
overtasked powers, that have since driven him to foreign 
lands to rest and recuperate. No need to multiply names. 
They are recorded in the nation's heart, and will adorn the 
page of history. 

Each of these States had a Sanitary Commission called 
by its name, which undoubtedly rendered valuable assist- 
ance to the soldiers. During the last two years of the 
war there was an increased preference for the federal 
principle of the Sanitary Commission. Nevertheless, these 
State organizations were undoubtedly of value, and were 
the almoners of untold blessings. Has the world ever 
witnessed such a strife for benevolent organizations, and 
a field so thoroughly occupied, that none might be excused, 
or rather denied, the privilege of giving and working ? 

From the history of the great volunteer work for the army 
it must not be inferred that the government was lax or ineffi- 
cient. On the contrary, it is the universal testimony of all 
who visited the field, and engaged in the work of the Commis- 
sions in the later years of the war, that the beneficence of 
the government to its army is without a parallel. Large as 
have been the gifts of the people through the various Com- 
missions, they have not been a tithe of what this model 
government expended and bestowed upon her brave sick 
and wounded soldiers. The work of the Commissions was 



BOARD OF TRADE OF CHICAGO. 79 

supplementary, and with their aid the spectacle of the hospi- 
tals, and the small percentum of deaths from wounds and 
sickness, astonished the scientific world. The quality and 
liberality of the soldiers' rations, and the comfort and char- 
acter of their clothing and equipments, amazed all who 
beheld them, and were considered ample and satisfactory by 
the " rank and file" themselves. War is not romance, but 
terrible reality ; and with all possible and actual ameliora- 
tions cannot be made comfortable. Of this none should com- 
plain, but bless God that so much relief was afforded. 

I would not close this sketch of patriotic benevolent efforts 
without alluding to the noble action of the Board of Trade 
of the city of Chicago. That organization made its record 
in the city where I dwelt, and acted in concert with the 
North-western Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission 
with which I was identified ; a sufficient explanation of the 
notice of a local and patriotic movement. 

The Board of Trade and Mercantile Association of Chi- 
cago, acted on the principle, that those who did not enlist 
to fight, had work to do at home, in the way of giving time 
and money to the cause of the country. They resolved to 
assist the government by stimulating enlistments and form- 
ing regiments, pledging themselves to sustain these regi- 
ments while in the field, by special visitation and sanitary 
assistance, and by giving a certain monthly revenue to the 
soldiers' families at home. In this way they raised the 72d, 88th 
and 113th regiments of Illinois Volunteers, and two batteries 
— the Board of Trade and Mercantile batteries— and furnished 
each with a magnificent set of silk colors, which were rent in 
tatters, by ball and shell, and are now retained at the Chamber 



80 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of Commerce, as proud memorials of tlie brave men who up- 
held them. These regiments and batteries furnished three bre- 
vet-brigadiers, and large numbers of officers from their ranks. 
For the various purposes of keeping an agent in the field, 
sending sanitary stores, vegetables, rubber blankets, etc., etc., 
this body raised over $100,000. In every exigency, the 
Board of Trade stood ready with its money and its influ- 
ence, and on one day raised $3,600, to purchase vegetables 
for the army at Young's Point. The name of Col. John Han- 
cock, its earnest president, became the watchword of vigi- 
lance, patriotism and liberality, and its list of members 
warmly seconded him in all his movements. One of its 
prominent members was elected colonel of the 72d regiment. 
With rare magnanimity and honesty, he declined the honor, 
on account of his limited military knowledge, and took the 
secondary place of Lieut.-colonel, which he held with great 
honor, till he lost a limb in the first assault on Vicksburg, 
May 19, 1864. This wound eventuated in his death. Few 
men have made a more honorable record, or been more 
widely mourned than Lieut.-Col. J. C. Wright. ITe was a 
brave officer and humble Christian, fond husband and father, 
and left not only a great breach in his regiment, but in the 
Church and family. The city of Chicago mourned his loss 
and paid reverence to his memory ; and the Board of Trade 
may feel honored at having furnished from their number an 
officer so universally esteemed and deeply lamented. Its 
able and efficient secretary. Col. Beattie, has occupied an im- 
portant place in its record, and with faithfulness and earnest- 
ness, used the influence of his official position to carry out 
its patriotic schemes. 



woman's council at WASHINGTON. SI 



CHAPTER V. 

The "Woman's Council at Washington. — Rosokitions voted. — North- 
western work. — Visit to President Lincohi. — Soldiers' Home at 
Washington. — U. S. Sanitary Commission warehouses in Washing- 
ton. — Douglas Hospital. — Convalescent camp incidents. — Too early 
removals from hospitals illustrated. — National buildings at Washing- 
ton. — Long Bridge. — Martyrdom of Col. Ellsworth. 

The Woman's Council that met at Washington, jSTovem- 
ber, 1862, was composed of women whose ability, earnestness, 
and self-sacrifice would have done honor to any organization. 
During its progress, full opportunity was given for free dis- 
cussion and interchange of views. The presence and state- 
ments of Mr. Olmstead, General Secretary of the Commis- 
sion; Dr. Newberry, Associate Secretary and Superintendent 
of the Western Department of the Commission ; Mr. Knapp, 
Special Relief Agent ; and Mr. Bloor, Corresponding Secre- 
tary, enabled us to profit by their wisdom and experience. 
A plan for associate managers, from the Boston Branch, had 
been prepared by Miss Abby May, submitted, and adopted 
before our arrival, as we had been detained by broken 
connections. When called upon for our opinion, we were 
obliged to say that the North- West was an independent, 
vigorous, and somewhat conceited scion of a noble stock ; 
that she was rather impatient of strict rules, and had a pro- 
digious fancy for doing things in her own way. Still we 

6 



82 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

heartily approved the plan, but had permission granted to 
vary it according to circumstances. We stated the truth 
when we said the North- West had unfathomable depths of 
patriotism and benevolence, which, if wisely managed, must 
produce large results. We promised to do what we could 
in thoroughly organizing and developing its supplies. 

At the close of the session, it was proposed, as we were a 
delegation from an organization engaged in the relief of the 
army, that we should ask for an interview with the Presi- 
dent. The request was promptly granted, and eight o'clock, 
P.M., designated as the hour for the interview. We were 
accompanied by Mr. Olmstead, Mr. Bloor, and an officer of 
the U. S.' Army. We waited some minutes in the private 
drawing-room before the President appeared. 

Times were gloomy then at Washington. The army was 
intrenching or intrenched — burning to advance, but held 
back alternately by its leader and the autumnal rains, and 
'little substantial advantage had been gained. The men were 
suffering greatly from low fevers and chronic dysentery, and 
its unsatisfactory conduct impaired confidence. As we sat 
in silence, partaking of the general gloom, Abraham Lincoln, 
the emancipator, the honest patriot, the Christ-like man, 
entered. His brow was deeply furrowed, his face oppres- 
sively sad, his form slightly bowed, and his step feeble. He 
seemed to be literallv sta2:sfering under a nation's burden, 
and we surmised had just left a perplexed and depressed 
meeting of the cabinet. As we rose to greet him, he shook 
each one's hand, with his awkward but touching cordiality, 
as Mr. Olmstead introduced us one by one. When he took 
his seat, Mr. Olmstead remarked we were a company of 



INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 83 

women, representing the patriotic benevolence of various 
sections of the country, and had come to pay our respects to 
our honored chief magistrate, and receive words of encour- 
agement from him that would stimulate home effort. His 
face did not relax, and a pause ensued. He then said: 
" Ladies, no one has the interests of the army more at heart 
than I have. I always rejoice to know they are remembered 
and cherished ; still, great care must be taken not to tangle 
the lines of the big team. You know, when a coach-and-six 
runs off down hill, 'tis a desperate struggle to stop it ; still 
one hand must hold the reins." We said we were well 
aware of that, and were happy to say we represented an 
organization that deprecated any interference with Govern- 
ment. We afterwards learned that so great had been the 
fears of intermeddling entertained by the Medical Bureau, 
that even our good President had imbibed the doubt, 
which was afterwards fully dispelled. After this wise cau- 
tion, he proceeded to talk most kindly of the humanity, 
energy, and perseverance of good women, all the world 
over. I said, " Mr. President, have you not an encour- 
aging word as to our countrj-'s prospects, that we may 
take back to the North- West? A token from you would 
inspire the people." With the sadness deepening on his 
worn face, he replied, " What if 1 have none to give ? " A 
silence that might be felt followed these ominous words. A 
lady of the delegation broke the stillness by asking : "Mr. 
President, what is the most fruitful source of discourage- 
ment?" The President replied, "Desertion." "And what 
the penalty of desertion ? " " Death ! " he answered. " Why 
not enforce it? " He hesitated, looked weary, and said with 



84 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the simplicity of a child: "I don't like to; I can't." I 
thought him too merciful, then. He may have been. I be- 
lieved that justice to the few would be mercy to the many. 
Still, it is a blessed memory he has left to us, that no per- 
sonal grievance nor abuse aroused his vengeance ; and that 
without fail, he exercised executive clemency, whenever 
possible, especially to the poor and lowly. Had not the 
assassin's ball paralyzed his dying tongue, he would have 
cried : " Father, forgive him, he knows not what he does." 

After another pause, I said, " Mr. President, how is it among 
the rebels? " A humorous smile lighted his darli visage, as 
he said, rubbing his hands : " That's all our comfort ; there 
are more of theirs than of ours." He talked freely of the 
army, praised the common soldiers with warmth, spoke 
highly of many prominent officers, and was silent where he 
could not praise. As we bade him farewell, he said : " I 
thank you for coming ; I am glad I have seen you. Go on 
in your good work ! God bless you I " Thus ended this 
interview with the President. I saw him the next day, 
under different circumstances. He appeared more cheerful ; 
still intense sadness prevailed, and left a memory that I re- 
joiced to have removed by my last interview with him, but 
a short time before his death. 

After the close of the session, we remained two days in 
Washington, to visit hospitals, and the various places of the 
Commission's work, and other points of interest. Our first 
visit was to the "Soldiers' Home," just what its name indi- 
dicates ; a place of refreshment, kind care, and gentle treat- 
ment to the honorably discharged soldiers, who held an 
intermediate position between civil and military life. It was 



soldiers' home, WASHINGTON. 85 

to slielter tlieni till their papers could be found or corrected, 
and tlieir pay secured; a work done gratuitously, by the 
Back-pay Agency of the Commission. In the meantime, 
they were cleansed, fed, clothed if necessary, and if sick, 
placed in the hospital till able to travel, and sent on their 
way rejoicing. The hospital connected with this Home had 
taken care of 935 very sick persons in nine months, during 
which period it had sheltered and relieved 7,187 soldiers. 
The 320 clean beds explained how this could be done. 

The bright pleasant reading-room, bath-rooms, wash-room 
and baggage-room, proved to us that this " Home " was worthy 
of its name. This was one of twenty-five " Homes " of similar 
character under the care of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. 
Through the efforts of one lady, in one of these in 
the vicinity of "Washington, soldiers that were wandering 
homeless were brought in, who received $100,000 back 
pay, through the agency of the Commission, in the course 
of one year. Another merciful feature of this institu- 
tion was very gratifying. Whenever a dispatch was sent, 
advising its officers of the approach of large bodies of wound- 
ed men to be placed in hospitals, appliances were at hand, 
and materials furnished, to meet them at the depot, with 
wagon-loads of supplies of food, stimulants, and clothing, 
suited to their necessities. On the same principle, in our 
"Western Department of sanitary relief work, feeding-sta- 
tions, as they were called, were established on the long routes 
from Chattanooga to Nashville, during the active operations 
of the army in that section of country. As car-loads of 
mangled heroes stopped at these stations, persons appointed 
for the purpose entered and fed the weary travellers with hot 



86 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

coffee, soup, tea, soft crackers, etc., they often not knowing 
whence the succor came. But I must not forget to speak 
of another class that were sheltered at the " Home " in Wash- 
ington. 

We saw several soldiers' wives and mothers, with young 
children, seated around a plain but comfortable table. Some 
had gone there to take home their poor maimed boys, and 
some, their lifeless bodies. With the recklessness of over- 
whelming grief, they had left home without money, at a 
venture ; and when all others forsook them, the Commission 
took them up. We also visited the five warehouses of the 
Commission; alas! nearly emptied by the sick from the 
Chickahominy. Of the 20,000 packages that had been sent 
to them, but one had been lost. It could not be otherwise, 
with such watchful care, and perfect system, difficult to find in 
the best business houses in civil life. We visited numerous 
hospitals in Washington, and found them well supplied and 
in good order. The Douglas Hospital, which occupied the 
former dwelling of the illustrious Illinois senator, was 
prominent for comfort. The choice flowers that were placed 
in vases in different rooms, gave great pleasure to the inmates, 
and shed an air of refinement over the establishment. The 
love of soldiers for flowers and sweet perfumes was remark- 
able. It was not uncommon to see whole regiments, in 
pleasant weather, when marching in the South, with flowers 
in their button-holes, caps, or on the point of their bayonets. 
They keenly enjoyed perfumes, and the sutlers drove a 
thriving business in that line. The men in this hospital were 
liberally supplied with both. It was said to be owing to the 
daily visits and devotion of Mrs. Douglas to their interests. 



CONVALESCENT CAMP, WASHINGTON. 87 

How perceptible is woman's influence in a hospital ! The 
last place of interest we visited was the Convalescent Camp, 
in the neighborhood of Washington. 

Here were congregated 15,000 men, many of whom had 
been thrust from the hospitals to make room for others. 
Some of them were not convalescent long. The change 
from warm rooms to tents without fire, in November, with 
no food but army rations, and no fire to cook them, accounted 
for the mortality, which was frightful, and the suffering, 
which was extreme. This camp was located on the unpro- 
tected side of a hill, exposed to the storms of winter and the 
heat of summer. 'Twas a bleak day in November when we 
visited it ; a high wind swept over it, and patches of snow 
were lodged in the ravines by circling eddies of wind. The 
men were in tents, often on the bare ground, and with a 
knapsack for a pillow. They were obliged to walk almost a 
mile for fuel, and then cut or gather it. Some, with the 
fertility of campaigners, had scooped a trough in the earth, 
and b}' arranging bricks so as to insure a draft, had managed 
to secure warmth for their feet. 

As we looked into one tent we saw a middle-aged man, 
of most respectable appearance, lying beside a pool of 
blood that he had vomited. Two days before, he had 
been pronounced convalescent from pneumonia — now his 
life-blood was oozing away, and he was " near his heav- 
enly home," he said. I thought of the wife watching for 
him, or a letter. Another young soldier lay moving 
restlessly, and babbling of marches, fights, home, and 
mother, all mingled in strange confusion. Alas! ty- 
phoid fever had been subdued, to be replaced by brain 



88 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

fever, the result of too early exposure, and he was near his 
release. I will not repeat more of the distressing siglits at 
this camp, but introduce to you two bright young soldiers, 
across the way, who were having a jolly time, singing 
"Rally round the Flag, Boj^s," and capering to the music. 
Their joyousness was strange in this place — almost revolting, 
at first. Not having left the hospital till they were fit for 
the change, they had been able to procure fuel, and were 
frying savory pieces of pork, with slap-jacks mixed, ready 
to follow suit. " Boys, you are having a good time, and I 
judge from the frying-pan, are good cooks." " We think so, 
madam." "Did you learn this important science in the 
army ? " " Yes, ma'am, for we had no necessity or oppor- 
tunity at college." " You stepped, then, directly from 
academic halls into the ranks? " "We did." "What said 
your parents ? " The face of the speaker flushed slightly; 
he answered : " They were not satisfied at first, but when 
they saw we were unhappy and resolved, they consented. 
We did not let them know that we were sick, and we 
are glad they have not seen ' Camp Miser3^' We 
expect to finish our course after the war. We were in our 
second year when we left." " How do you like the ser- 
vice ? " " It's rather rough ; but we came in to take it as we 
found it, and are not discouraged. The 'old flag' brought 
us here, and, we believe, will carry us through." 

Whether the brave boys are in college now, or in bloody 
graves, I do not know. The old world has been amazed at 
the developments of this war of the republic. If a tithe of 
the isolated facts of heroism, self-denial and endurance of the 
heroes "of the rank and file" could be made known, not only 



STOEY OF WILLIAM THE CONVALESCENT, 89 

they, but the people at home, would be overwhelmed, and 
say the world was not worthy of them. 

Within a month after our visit, in compliance with the rep- 
resentations of the Sanitary Commission and Miss D. L, Dix, 
an order was issued to break up the old camp, and prepare 
for another, which was a blessed contrast to its forerunner, 
and might have been called Camp Paradise. A Sanitary 
Commission agent became its matron, and the comfortable 
barracks erected and furnished by Government, with the 
assistance rendered by the Sanitary Commission, wiped out 
the stain of its former name. A great mistake, perhaps 
to be expected from the limited hospital arrangements in 
the early part of the war, existed at that time. The men 
were thrust out of hospitals and sent to convalescent camps, 
or their regiments, before they were fitted for the change. 

Mrs. Livermore and myself met with an affecting case, 
that represented a large class of the army at the time. As 
we were journeying to Washington, between Harrisburg and 
Baltimore, the cars ran off the track, and we were detained 
some hours. About 8 o'clock p.m., we heard a strange and 
perplexing noise, that sounded like the bellowing of an ani- 
mal, and yet somewhat human. As the conductor passed, we 
asked for an explanation. He said it was a drunken soldier 
on the platform of the car. There was a driving snow-storm 
at the time. We said, '•'■Bring him in; drunk or sober, he is a 
soldier, and must not he left therer He said there was no 
room. We offered our seat. He refused gruffly, said he was 
no company for this car, and pushed on. We told the story 
to two gentlemen in front of us, saying he must come in, and 
asking them to use their manly strength to bring him. They 



90 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

rose at once, opened the car door, and carried in the soldier. 
As they laid him on our seat, groaning terribly, and covered 
with snow (for he had no overcoat), his cap fell off, and dis- 
closed the pallid face of a youth of eighteen, with upturned 
eyes, apparently very near death. "We covered him with 
heated blanket shawls, and applied warm bricks to his chest. 
We found a surgeon at the extreme part of the car, who pro- 
nounced him in a desperate fit of cramp-colic, produced by 
exposure and fatigue when feeble. He had brandy and 
opium, which he forced into his mouth, and by dint of med- 
ical attention and faithful nursing, he had so far recovered in 
two hours as to lie peaceful]}^, and open his great blue eyes 
wonderingly. We smiled, and he burst into tears, and cov- 
ered his face with his thin fingers. We soothed him, and he 
said, " You must excuse me, ladies ; but these are the first kind 
words I have heard since I have been in the army — for nine 
months. When I woke from that horrid dream and saw you 
watching me, I thought I was at home." Shortly after, an 
officer with captain's bars on his shoulders came up and said, 
" Wh}^, William, w^hat is the matter ? " We answered for 
him, and said he had been almost dead, but M'as now better. 
"Are you his captain?" I said. "Not exactly; I was put 
in charge of a hundred convalescents, to take back to their 
regiments. They are not well enough to go ; some of them 
almost as sick as this one." " Do you know this youth per- 
sonally ? " " No ; but they told me at the hospital that when 
he was put there, they were requested to be careful of him, 
for he was a good soldier, and delicate. I had him in the 
rear car witli the rest, went out, and have not been back 
till just now." William looked up and said, " Captain, I 



CONVALESCENT SOLDIER. 91 

was sick ; not wishing to disturb the rest, I went to the plat- 
form for air, and that is all I know." 

My indignation had been steadily rising. I said, sternly, 
" When you undertook the charge of these men, were you 
not under obligations to take care of them, and not leave 
them for hours to be neglected, abused, and branded as 
drunkards. Four hours after this youth was left to die on the 
platform, you have come to inquire after him. But for us, 
you would have found his corpse, for the surgeon said he was 
pulseless, and could not have lived an hour longer. We tell 
you, sir, this is not the way 'to treat the ' rank and file ' of the 
army ; no wonder they desert, if this is a specimen of their 
treatment. The mother of this youth would have held you to 
account, had he died." He felt the justice of the rebuke, ren- 
dered us what assistance he could, and said his fliult had been 
one of thoughtlessness; as cruel, however, in its results as any 
other. He handed over William to us, and gave us written 
authority to place him in a hospital. We spent two hours 
after midnight in Baltimore, riding from hospital to hospital 
to find a vacant bed. At last we succeeded, and left him 
warm, clean, and comfortable. We heard from the surgeon 
daily while in Washington, and a few weeks after our return, 
received a most touching letter from his mother and sister, 
refined, educated ladies in New Jersey. They thanked us 
earnestly for saving William's life, and said morning and eve- 
ning, at the family altar, while they lived, would they invoke 
on us God's blessing for the spared life of their only son and 
brother, and then told how good he was, how true, how 
faithful and obedient. 

Were not my limits and my course prescribed, I could tell 



92 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

much of tlie national capital, that challenged in splendor 
and purity, an iceberg in the noonday sun. Its vast dome, 
lofty corridors, marble stairways, gorgeous paintings, innu- 
merable frescoes from dome to basement, dazzled and aston- 
ished us. We shuddered as we reflected what might have 
been, what might and would be, but for the " Boys in Blue." 
I once heard Gen. Sherman say, in addressing the army, and 
I honored him for it: " You soldiers have made me what I 
am ; you have put the stars on my shoulder." "Well may it 
be said: "These heroes have saved. for us this magnificent 
capital and all its glorious surroundings, and have made it 
what it is, the capital of a regenerated nation of freemen." 

Before we left Washington, we drove over the Long Bridge, 
which has become a classic structure since it has been made 
the passage-way of the great Union army. The sight of it 
brought to mind a touching incident related to me by Chap- 
lain D., of the army. His son, who was at college at the 
commencement of the war, enlisted in the " rank and file." 
During the campaign of the Peninsula he was seized with 
typhoid fever and taken to a hospital, where he lay many 
weeks, vibrating between life and death. At length he 
became convalescent, but was unable to leave the house. 
Among the reinforcements that were ordered from Washing- 
ton to the front, his regiment was included. It lay encamped 
within his sight and hearing. As the drum called to arms, 
the tents were struck, canteens and haversacks filled, rifles 
and knapsacks shouldered, his spirit rose, and he felt he 
must go. Without counsel he left the hospital, and followed 
his regiment till partly over the Long Bridge, when his feeble 
limbs refused their office, and he fell. He still crawled on 



ASSASSINATION OF COL. ELLSWORTH. 93 

till, when they halted after passing the bridge, he overtook 
them, and rising up, fell into line. He was a great favorite 
in the regiment, and all the men knew him. Said his colonel 
to his father, when relating the incident, "When his pale 
face and feeble form was seen, shout upon shout rent the air. 
That act was worth a regiment to our division; the men 
were inspired, and resolved to do or die." The effect on 
the youth himself was most unexpected — almost miraculous. 
From that moment he gathered strength, and ere long was 
able to march and fight with the rest of his comrades. 

On the road to Alexandria, we passed Arlington, the former 
dwelling-place of the rebel General Lee ; the deluded man, 
who left this stately mansion, with its magnificent surround- 
ings, to raise his parricidal hand against the beneficent Gov- 
ernment that had protected, fostered, educated, and intrusted 
him with great responsibilities and high position. The proud 
old manor-house had been made the headquarters of the 
Union army and the freedmen alternately, and its lawns the 
burial-place of the nation's dead — a signal rebuke of inex- 
cusable treachery. The point of special interest to us in 
Alexandria, was the house in which Col. Ellsworth was 
murdered. The last time I had seen him in Chicago, was 
just before the war commenced. He had returned from the 
triumphal march of his then unparalleled Zouaves, through 
the eastern and southern cities. He was the personification 
of manly strength and agility. "With characteristic gen- 
erosity he had offered the services of his company and him- 
self, to give an exhibition drill for the benefit of a benevolent 
institution. At the first call he and his boys sprang to arms. 
God had been training them, and, through them, the nation, 



9-i THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

for what was coming ; for their advent seemed to have created 
a military furore throughout the north, and occasioned the 
organization of numerous military companies. As L looked 
upon the place where the coward's bullet had sealed his 
doom, I heard the story of his almost reckless bravery. The 
sight of a rebel flag, flaunting from the observatory of a 
house in Alexandria, within sight of the capitol, had sent 
his patriotic blood coursing through his veins. He forgot all 
but the insult to the Government, and with a bound, scarcely 
touching the stairs, reached and demolished it. In a dark 
corner, concealed, lay the coward traitor. He sped the ball 
that released the spirit of Ellsworth, but instantl}'- was sent to 
his own place by the hand of his avenger. A favorite of the 
lamented Lincoln, he was his forerunner in martyrdom. His 
blood has been the seed of patriotism. It became the watch- 
word of the army, and inspired the troops to deeds of valor. 
His life was short as men count time, but long in patriotism 
and results. 

The next day we bade farewell to Washington, fearing, we 
knew not what, for darkness brooded over the nation, and 
none might tell when the night should be over and the sun 
of liberty arise. Sherman had not then electrified the nation 
with his brilliant series of successes; the dashing Sheridan 
had not swept through the Yalley of Virginia with his irre- 
sistible squadrons; nor the calm, resolute Lieutenant-General 
planted himself in the Army of the Potomac, announcing 
quietly his policy : " We shall fight it out on this line if it 
takes all summer." No eye could foresee, and no prophetic 
voice foretell these glad tidings. 



NORTH-WESTERN BRANCH COMMLSSION. 95 



CHAPTER VI. 

The supply--R'ork of the North-Western Branch of the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission. — Volunteer aid of the press. — Necessities for supphes at 
dep6ts in advance of battles. — Eesult of earnest work and thorough 
organization. — Wisconsin Aid Society. — Mrs. Colt. — Michigan Branch 
U, S. Sanitary Commission. — Miss Campbell. — Iowa Branch. — Mrs. 
T. E. Simpson, Minnesota North- Western Branch Aid Societies. — 
Incidents of alleged misappropriations of stores at Mount Carroll. — 
Self-sacrifice and heroism of north-western women illustrated by 
striking incidents. — The manual labor of women to permit men to 
enlist. — Labors in aid societies. — Soldiers' rests and homes. — 
Female nurses. 

Immediately after our return from Washington, Mrs. 
Livermore and myself undertook the thorough organization 
of the supply-work of the North-Western Sanitary Commis- 
sion. We wrote stimulating circulars, opened a vigorous 
correspondence with the aid societies within the bounds 
of the Commission, and organized large numbers of new 
societies. 

Where circumstances required it, we made personal visits 
to individual or county aid societies. We furnished articles 
for the daily press and religious weeklies. These were pub- 
lished gratuitously, thus giving us the benefit of their exten- 
sive circulation. The value of such contributions in kind, 
can scarcely be estimated. The liberality of the press not 
only saved to the Commission thousands of dollars, but 



96 THE BOYS IN" BLUE. 

added greatly to the popularity of the organization, and car- 
ried the news of what home-workers were doing to the army, 
where these papers were distributed in large numbers by the 
various Commissions. 

Heretofore the North-Western Commission had relied 
chiefly on the spontaneous contributions of the people, largely 
stimulated by reports of sanguinary battles. This depend- 
ence on spasmodic benevolence proved to be inadequate to 
its wants. The depots of the Commission, near the scene of 
action, must be kept well supplied, to be ready for emer- 
gencies. This could not be the case, if these very exigen- 
cies were the stimulants to draw forth the supplies. 

At the battle of Stone Eiver, which took place the 81st of 
December, and 1st and 2d of January, 1S63, our loss in 
wounded was over 7,000, and the rebel loss 10,000. This 
battle occurred very shortly after our return from Washing- 
ton, and the treasury and shelves of the Commission were 
empty. The news arrived on Saturday, and it was only by 
the great exertions of our President, who appealed to the 
Board of Trade, and the liberal response of some of Chicago's 
citizens to our earnest pleading, that car-loads of supplies 
were sent forward to the scene of action the day following. 
From that time, the treasury of the North- Western Commis- 
sion never failed ; her supply-work rapidly enlarged. 

To the energy and efficiency of Mrs. H. L. Colt, of Mil- 
waukee, Secretary of Soldiers' Aid Society of Wisconsin, the 
Commission is deeply indebted for the thorough organization 
and continued supplies from Wisconsin. Miss Yaleria Camp- 
bell, the head of the Sanitary Commission work in Michigan, 
was a faithful and able co-worker with the North-Western 



ZsORTH-WESTERN BRANCH COMMISSIONS. 97 

Branch till 1804, when the Michigan Commission became 
an independent branch, reporting to Dr. Newberry. 

Northern Indiana sent us handsome contributions, and 
Minnesota, in the midst of her own Indian troubles, with her 
sparse population, sent, through Mrs. T. E. Simpson, the 
motive power of sanitary operations in that State, forty- 
seven packages in two months, from Winona alone. 

Iowa, during the war, contributed to the Branch Commis- 
sion at Chicago over fifty thousand dollars in money, and 
five thousand packages of supplies ; Michigan, while tribu- 
tary to the Commission at Chicago, almost eight thousand 
dollars in money, and five thousand two hundred and sixty- 
four boxes. Wisconsin sent between seven and eight thou- 
sand boxes, and almost nine thousand dollars to the North- 
western Branch at Chicago. Where all did so nobly, as 
these figures show, comparisons would be invidious. Still, 
even on this " Boll of Honor," Iowa stands conspicuous. 
'Tis simple justice to record that she was the banner sanitary 
State in the North-West, as I believe her military record will 
prove she was in enlistments in proportion to her population. 
Her contributions and eflbrts were amazing for the benefit of 
sick soldiers, under her able, enthusiastic, and veteran leader, 
Kev. D. Norris ; and she also sent large gifts to the Western 
Sanitary Commission at St. Louis, and the Christian Commis- 
sion, in the latter part of the war, through their widely- 
known representative, Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer. 

As will be seen at a glance, this Commission became a 
power in the Western Department of the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission. From November 1, 1S61, to December 1, 1862, 
the amount of money received in the Chicago North- 



98 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Western Branch, during a period of thirteen months, had 
been twenty thousand dollars, and the number of packages 
(5,000) five thousand. From December, 1862, immediately 
after the Council at Washington, to the close of the Commis- 
sion, a period of two years and a half, the amount paid into 
the treasui-y was ($311,000) three hundred and eleven thou- 
sand dollars; and supplies during the same period to the 
amount of almost, if not quite, a million of money were con- 
tributed. These supplies were carefully appraised at a cash 
valuation, at the respective dates of their receipt. 

In our frequent journeys throughout the North-West, to 
complete the organization we had planned and eventually 
accomplislied, we had rare opportunities of seeing and esti- 
mating the value of the w^ork of the Women of the 
Prairies, both in labor and sacrifice. The aid societies 
depended greatly for their efficiency on the officers control- 
ling them. With few exceptions they were wisely chosen, 
and succeeded in developing and organizing the vast amount 
of the patriotism and humanity of the women, who labored 
with them. 

They met ordinarily once during the week at the school- 
house, lecture-room, or dwelling of the president, if no more 
suitable place could be found. Committees were appointed 
to prepare and give out work, to procure funds, make pur- 
chases, cut out clothing, and pack and forward boxes. The 
officers were sometimes chosen annually, sometimes quar- 
terly. The variety of the devices of these societies to raise 
money for the benefit of the Commission, would form a 
unique and entertaining history. Sometimes the money was 
sent to the J^Torth- Western Commission, and sometimes 



DIXON, ILLINOIS, SOLDIER. 99 

expended in material to be made into garments, or supplies 
to be sent to us. 

The great barriers to the prosperity of these aid societies, 
were the charges of squandered and misappropriated stores. 
These unwarrantable attacks were sometimes made by sur- 
geons discharged for incompetency, or returned soldiers who 
had never been in hospital, and had thus no opportunity of 
seeing the work of the Commission, or of those who had 
received its blessings, and knew not the source from whence 
they came. 

A case in point : Mrs. W., president of an aid society in 
Dixon — a prominent town in Illinois — and one of the most 
faithful workers in the State, related to me the following 
incident: Her son, who had returned home on sick furlough, 
said to his mother, "I never received any Sanitary stores 
when I was in the hospital." "Did you receive no green tea 
and white sugar, or codfish, or eggs, or farina?" "Yes, I 
did ; but no canned fruits, lemons, jellies, or clothing." Said 
she : " All that you have enumerated were doubtless fur- 
nished by the Commission." At night, when he had taken 
his bath, and thrown aside his soiled under-garments, she 
gathered them up and found them all marked "ISTorth- 
AVestern Sanitary Commission ; " j'ct so silently and unobtru- 
sively had the work been done, that he knew it not. With 
moistened eyes his mother said " that was reward enough for 
all her labor, and proof sufficient of the blessed effects of the 
Commission, to keep her at work till the war should close." 

At the request of an aid society at Mt. Carroll, I visited 
that place to settle the vexed question of sanitary stores. 
The wife of the colonel of a rcoriment recruited in that 



100 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

vicinity, called to accompany me to the meeting. On the 
way thither she stated, that on the previous day she had 
received a letter from her husband, in which he said he had 
visited the hospitals in Memphis, at her request, to ascertain 
from the men themselves, whether the supplies reached them. 
The investigation proved so satisfactorj-, that he wrote as 
follows : " I find that the Sanitary Commission has done, and 
is doing, so great a work in the hospitals of Memphis, that I 
urge you to renewed zeal in the work of the Aid Society 
tributary to it." The letter was read at the meeting with 
marked effect, and brought out a corresponding statement 
from the wife of an esteemed physician from Mt. Carroll, 
who was 250st-surgeon at one of the Nashville hospitals. 
He had stated in a letter just received, substantially, what the 
colonel had done, and closed with the remark, " He should 
never again hold back his wife in the work of the Sanitar}'- 
Commission.-' 

It is needless to say, with these testimonials and the flicts 
that I had witnessed, and that I stated on the occasion, the 
meeting was enthusiastic and successful, and the ladies re- 
solved to continue and increase their work. 

On another occasion I visited Bluffville, 111., at the urgent 

request of Mrs. F , the Postmistress of the district, and 

president of the aid society. The settlement was some 
miles from the railroad station, and I found a farmer's wagon 
with its worthy owner, awaiting me. We drove to the 
house of Mrs. F , who apologized for her limited accom- 
modations and humble dwelling, which I found sheltered a 
head and heart that would have done honor to a palace. 
The settlement was sparse, the people poor; "all having 



STORY OF BLUFF VILLE AID SOCIETY. 101 

enough to do to get along these war times," she said, " when 
so many of their men had enUsted." The cause of our suffer- 
ing soldiers had lain upon her heart from the beginning of the 
war. She endeavored to form an aid society, but no one had 
time or money to give, though probably she had as little of 
either, as any one. Nothing daunted, she determined to work 
alone. After days of domestic toil and official duties, she 
worked far into the night ; and in two weeks succeeded in 
piecing and quilting a warm covering for a sick soldier's bed. 
She called in the neighbors to rejoice with her, and on the 
spot they formed an aid society, and appointed committees 
to gather eggs, butter, vegetables, and what money they 
could collect, to purchase material for work. She felt they 
were not doing enough, and wrote to me to come to her 
assistance and tell the people about the soldiers that I had 
seen, and rouse them up to more earnest effort. 

Mrs. F. besought me to let the farmers come to the meet- 
ing. "They are plain men," she said, "eager to hear; and 
they are the source of our supply. For the sake of the suf- 
fering soldiers, let them in." I did, unwillingly, but soon 
forgot everything but the hospitals, pale faces, battle-fields 
and transports. In the audience, I saw as usual fresh 
weeds, eager looks, and streaming tears, that told the shot 
had boomed over these prairies, and strewn them with 
broken hearts and withered hopes. At the close of the meet- 
ing, the iron grasp and tearful ej^es of these stalwart farmers 
greatly affected me, and repaid me for the sacrifice. Bluff- 
ville worked on to the close of the Commission, and from the 
" depth of her poverty abounded the riches of her liberality." 

As I was on my homeward journey, I was detained some 



102 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

hours at a small settlement in Illinois, to make the direct 
connection for Chicago. Desirous to improve the time, I 
asked the landlady of the hotel where I stopped, if there was 
an aid society in the place. "Yes, indeed," she said, and she 
had been its president till her eyesight failed, that she was 
now almost blind, and her husband said 'twas because she 
had sewed at night for the soldiers. From the porch where 
she sat she pointed to a house and said, "You'll find a lady 
there, in that milhner's shop, that can tell you all about it." 

I found her and her room filled with buxom lasses, trying, 
on the latest style of head-gear. I told my errand, but said, 
"I see you are busy ; I have but a few hours to remain, and 
can send you some circulars, and write to you from Chicago." 
"I always have time to hear about the army," she replied, 
"and cannot let you go without having 3^ou mefet our 
ladies. We have longed to see you." " But the time is 
short," I answered. " Can you be here at 11 o'clock? " she 
asked. I replied I could. " Then we will be ready for you. 
Ladies," she said, " I know you will not be willing to lose 
the opportunity of hearing about our brave volunteers, from 
one who has been to Vicksburg. If j^ou will be messengers 
to notify the meeting, I will stop work, clean up the shop, 
and be ready for you in an hour." I resolved to know 
this woman's history. Fifteen minutes before the meeting 
opened she gave me the following statement. She was refined 
and educated, and I use her words as nearly as possible : 

" When the first call came, my husband, myself, and two 
little ones, one a babe, were living in this hou*, in easy 
circumstances, he having a ]Drofitable business. I saw he 
was uneasy, but he kept silent, as I did. When the next 



SKETCH OF A PRAIRIE HEROINE. 103 

call came, lie said, 'I must attend the meeting to raise recruits.' 
I knew wLat that meant, but was prepared, for I had pon- 
dered it in my heart. I said, 'James, if you feel it to be 
your duty to go, don't let me and the children hinder you.' 
He started. 'Wife,' said he, 'you* can't conduct the business 
and support the family. You have been delicately reared, 
never have done even your own work,' ' I know all that,' 
I said, 'but I have thought it all over, and know what I 
can do. From a child I have made m}'- own bonnets, and 
have been told they were tasteful. A milliner's shop is 
needed here. I can get a good workwoman from Chicago, 
open a shop, and support myself and the children. If all 
wait till it is convenient to go, what will become of the coun- 
try?' Said this earnest woman, "I was interrupted by the 
sobs of my husband. He said my courage broke him down 
more than tears or entreaties to stay. He went to the meet- 
ing, gave in his name as a recruit, came home, and on our 
bended knees together that night, we asked God to accept the 
sacrifice and preserve us all to meet at the close of the war. 
He settled up his business. I opened my store, and it has 
prospered greatly. He has been preserved thus far, and has 
been promoted. He is a man of intelligence, firmness, and 
piety." 

When I could speak, I said: "How can you manage to 
attend the aid society? " " My dear madam," she exclaimed, 
" how could I live without it ? When I plan, and work for 
it, I am beside my beloved husband, working for my country. 
It meets here every other week."' " How do you manage? " 
I said. " I close the work-room," she continued, " at noon, 
that day. The girls are willing to stay and help me. We 



104 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

clean the room and carry all the boxes to the adjoining one. 
We sew till dark, and then restore the shop to working 
order, and by sitting u]) till midnight, I make up for lost time.'" 
" Is there no one more favoriably situated that will bear this 
burden?" "It seems noir," she meekly answered. "Our 
numbers are few, as the majority of the people live in the 
country. There is a friend of mine who has openeaa dress- 
.making establishment to let her husband enlist, and we alternate.'''' 

My heart was almost too full for utterance when the meet- 
ing began. I know not what I said ; I only know we all 
wept together, and those present pledged themselves to share 
this heroic woman's burden, as they had not done before, and 
they kept their promise. I said aloud, " Such heroes as 
compose the rank and file of our army, with such ivomen to 
back them, must conquer — they are invincible.'''' 

Across the commons there was a fine brick dwelling, with 
flower-beds, lawns and broad walks. I said : " Do not the 
residents in that house assist you in your work?" "No," 
she answered, quietly, " They have a great deal of company, 
and don't take any interest in the army. They are copper- 
heads, and say our husbands are fools for going ; that is the 
hardest of all to bear.'''' At the close of the meeting we 
parted, not to meet again till on that day for which all other 
days were made. Tlie dwellers in the stately mansion, and 
the self denj^ing, Christian heroine will be there: "Inasmuch 
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my breth- 
ren, ye have done it unto Me ; " and " Inasmuch as ye have 
not done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have not 
done it unto Me." 

Allow me to give one more representative case of 



STORY OF AN ILLINOIS PATRIOT FAMILY. 105 

these patriotic prairie women. I had been long urged to 

visit S , a flourishing town in Illinois, to reorganize and 

reanimate a declining aid society. At the close of the meet- 
ing, the members proceeded to elect new officers, and 1 said, 
" Ladies, be careful in your choice, for on that depends much 
of the prosperity of your society. Select the women of the 
most energy, perseverance, wisdom and patriotism. Let no 
other considerations influence j^ou." The name of Mrs. F. 
was mentioned for president, by three persons at the same 
time. She was not there, and a friend remarked she would 
not be able to fill the position, as her health was very delicate, 
and she had heavy responsibilities. The answer was made, 
that if she would only advise them, and meet with them 
once a week, they would ask no more of her. She was 
elected unanimously. 

The lady at whose house I sojourned, proposed that I 
should drive out a mile and see her, and hear her remarka- 
ble story from her own lips, telling me only, that she had 
two sons and a husband in the army, had cheerfally given 
them, and was left at home with a little boy to work the 
farm. The dwelling was plain, and the garden neglected. 
It gave evidence of the absence of the strong arms that had 
made it the pride of the neighborhood. She came out to the 
carriage to greet us, and after I was introduced, I said, " Mad- 
am, I have come to see a loving wife and mother, who has 
given her husband and two sons, without a murmur, to serve 
their country, and remained behind to toil, that they may 
go. Pray, tell me your wonderful story." 

" It is very short," said the frail creature. Her flashing 
black eyes kindled till they cast a glow over her pale face, 



106 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

as she said, " When the rebels fired on Sumter, my heart 
was on fire. I longed to be a man to avenge the insult. My 
boj'S sprang to arms, enlisted, and "^ere off in a twinkling, 
and I blessed them for it. After a year's absence, one came 
home on furlough. As we sat lingering around our last 
supper together, I looked at my husband and said, 'If the 
young boys can stand it, and the country needs more men, 
why can't you go ? ' He looked at me earnestly, and said, 
'I've longed to go, but dare not leave you alone, with none 
but our little one to help you.' ' Don't fear that,' I said ; 
' we shall manage to get along. The farm will grow shabby, 
of course.' " As she said this she looked at the rusty fence 
and rickety gate, and added, " It had better be so than lose the 
country." She continued : " Early next morning my son and 
husband left for the battery." She said she had been as well 
as before they left, heard from them quite often, that they were 
in good health and contented, and she did not believe that 
harm would reach them, for they were under the shelter of 
her Heavenly Father's wing. Thank Grod, if they never met 
on earth, they would all meet in heaven, for that was the 
home to which they looked forward. 

Did I mistake, when I said the prairie women had un- 
fathomable depths of patriotism and heroism? Multiply 
these cases indefinitely and the result may be reached. 

On a bleak day in February, I was making preparations 
to visit the arni}^ at Young's Point, and was to leave in the 
night train for Cairo. A woman earnestly requested to see 
me, as she had a package for me to take to her husband, in 
ray son's regiment, 113th Illinois Yolunteers, I had offered 
to take such parcels, and she was ushered in. She held by 



« 
STORY OF MRS. R., THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. 107 

the hand two little boys, having deposited the box in the 
hall. She was a bright-looking woman, and her boys un- 
usually handsome. She said, '* Mrs. II., I have brought 
a box for you to take to my husband, and my boys for 
you "to see. When you get to Yicksburg, please find Peter 
E., and you will see as nice a man as you ever set eyes on. 
I want you to tell him his boys look well, and his wife too. 
Tell him we are all getting along first-rate ; that I get plenty 
of work, and the boys are good and obedient, and not to fret 
about us." "I'm glad to be the bearer of such good- news," 
I said, " and I will see your husband and give it to him." 
Then she drew her hands. from her coarse mittens and held 
them up, cracked and bleeding. " DonH tell him, I beseech 
you," she said, " that I have worn the skin off my hands, 
washing every day ; and do7i't tell Mm that I have to put the 
little boys to bed, when they come from school, to keep them 
warm, as I have no wood nor lights. Boii'i tell him, that often 
when I walk home, after a hard day's scrubbing, my skirts 
freeze stiff. It's all true ; but still we are well and keep 
warm in bed, and are not marching in mud and snow, or 
sick in a hospital. Tell Peter all the good you can, and Tceep hack 
all the had. Tell the poor fellow," and she here broke down, 
"if he'll keep in good heart and take care of his end of the 
line, I'll take care of mine ; and don't let him know I spent 
two dollars and a half for things to put in the box. They'd 
choke him if he knew it." We need scarcely say that she 
did not suffer after this for wood, and that the little boys 
studied their lessons by lamp-light. 

The women of the land, with that quick perception which 
BO often leads them to correct conclusions, without a slow 



lOS THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

process of reasoning, comprehended the import of the war 
from its early stages. The quiet of their homes and domes- 
tic pursuits, gave them the opportunity to ponder on the 
matter. They felt that they must give their husbands and 
sons to conquer or to die. They did not refuse the offering; 
and woman's heart, alone^ comprehends the sacrifice. They 
counted the cost, paid the price, and with a sagacity and 
zeal that has turned a new leaf in woman's history and 
development, have created supplies by the work of their 
fingers, managed and controlled at the different branches of 
the Commission an amount of business heretofore consider- 
ed impracticable for women. In the various departments of 
aid societies, soldiers' rests and homes, in hospitals and trans- 
ports, they have performed a humane work, that may well 
challenge history for a parallel. 

The amount of manual labor that was done by the wives 
and daughters of prosperous north-western farmers during 
the war, was marvellous in extent and results. The North- 
Western States were almost stripped of bone and muscle by 
enlistments. As their interests were mainly agricultural, the 
loss was heavily felt. In my journeys through these States, 
I frequently saw the ruddy, smiling faces of these patriot 
women in the garden and field. They were planting seed, 
weeding gardens, gathering crops, binding sheaves, raking 
hn}^, driving team, with resolution and cheerfulness. When 
I visited camps, hospitals, and graves at the front, I felt that 
these unselfish heroes were worthy of marshals' batons and 
victors' wreaths. When I returned to the North I beheld 
women in the fields or fh the shop, adding the burden of 
family maintenance to the cares of wife and mother, or still 



soldiers' homes and rests. 109 

more, with white faces and emblems of sorrow, patiently 
worhing, tcaiching^ and luaiting. Who shall say which bore 
the palm of heroism ? 

The busy hands of women kept in active operation the 
soldiers' rests and refreshment saloons throughout the land, 
feeding thousands of troops in transitu, and allowing none to 
pass through the cities where they were established, without 
a comfortable meal. I speak from personal knowledge of the 
rest in Chicago, which was an appendage of the Soldiers' 
Home, under the control of the same board, whose president, 
Thos. B. Bryan, Esq., was one of the leading spirits in every 
benevolent and patriotic movement during the war, and its 
vice-president, Mrs. 0. E. Hosmer, one of Chicago's most 
efl&cient army workers. At all hours of the day and night, 
these admirable women were ready to meet the returning or 
departing regiments, and by their orderly arrangements and 
persevering labor, fed thousands in a day, and gave thera bet- 
ter meals than could be procured, except at a first-class hotel. 

Still another order of female army workers must not be 
omitted. I refer to the nurses in hospitals and transports. 
Most of these self-sacrificing women left homes of comfort, 
some of luxury, to administer to the sick and wounded sol- 
diers. To endure the oppressive and often unhealthy air of 
the hospitals, to witness harrowing sights, to dress loathsome 
wounds, or assist in the operation, to exercise the skill and 
patience necessary to meet the wants of the sick and wounded, 
to endure the suspicions or coldness of surgeons, to exercise 
the " wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove," 
required an amount of skill, sagacit}^, tact, and cheerful 
endurance that is rare to meet, and inspiring when witnessed. 



110 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

Instead of being astonished that so little of this material was 
developed during the war, one should be surprised that so 
much became available. 

In the earlier organization of hospitals, great opposition to 
the introduction of these nurses existed among the medical 
staff of the army. The system was an untried experiment, 
and was suspiciously watched and severely criticized. Un- 
fortunate failures were magnified and widely circulated. The 
misguided zeal of some benevolent individuals thrust large 
numbers of women into hospitals, without organization or 
consultation with surgeons. As a consequence, they were 
summarily dismissed by the surgeons. During the progress 
of the war, evils were corrected in this, as in other depart- 
ments, and order more fully established. The most skilful 
and humane surgeons sought the assistance of women as 
nurses, in suitable numbers and for proper positions. Ex- 
perience taught that for each ward one was sufficient for any 
emergency, and too much under ordinary circumstances. 
The linen-rooms and diet-kitchens were eventually placed 
entirely in the hands of women, and the improved condition 
of the beds, patients, and food, and the decreased j^er centum 
of deaths, attested the wisdom of the change. 

In the outset of the war. Miss D. L. Dix had been ap- 
pointed by Government, general superintendent of the 
nurses of military hospitals in the United States, and con- 
tinued to hold this position till the close of the war, Mr. 
James E. Yeatman, of St, Louis, Mrs, D. P. Livermore and 
Mrs. A. H. Hoge, were appointed her agents for the hospi- 
tals of the Western Department. They detailed large num- 
bers of efficient and faithful nurses, who were sent to hospi- 



WOMEN-NURSES OF THE ARMY. Ill 

tals on the requisition of post-surgeons, and of whose work 
and worth they received abundant testimonials from officers, 
surgeons and patients. It was proven that their labors 
were invaluable, if not indispensable, to the success of hospi- 
tals in the Western Department. 

Without the assistance of women, these institutions might 
have been well organized, well supplied, clean and comfort- 
able ; although experience proved that this was not the rule. 
In such establishments, however, there was the same lack 
of home-like air, and indefinable tone of domestic comfort, 
that is seen in bachelors' mansions, no matter how lordly or 
well appointed. The right of woman to the sphere which 
includes housekeeping, cookiug and nursing, has never been 
disputed. The proper administration of these three depart- 
ments, makes the internal arrangements of a hospital com- 
plete ; and are only secondary in importance to the skill and 
faithfulness of surgeons. 

Many of these heroic women passed suddenly from their 
labor to their reward, apart from home and relatives to 
which women naturally cling. God, in great mercv, gave 
them compensation for the absence of the only earthly aids 
that we have heretofore believed could smooth the passage 
to the grave, and rob the grim messenger of his stern feat- 
ures — the sympathy, love and tenderness of kindred. The 
regiment or hospital, made up of brave fellows, tender and 
grateful as women and children to those who sacrificed all 
to succor them, rallied round the sick or feeble nurses, with 
affecting eagerness. No service was too toilsome or exacting ; 
no tribute of gratitude equal to their deserts. While they 
lived, they felt that hundreds, perhaps thousands, were yearn- 



112 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ing for tlicir rccoveiy, and tliey well knew should death come, 
as many sad hearts would mourn, and a painful void be left. 

A case in point. After the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
a slender, modest girl, petite in figure and of unusual beauty, 
made application to us, for a place as hospital nurse. We 
said, " We cannot send you ; you are too young and too hand- 
some for such a position." A flush passed over her face, 
almost severe in youthful beauty, as she said, "I am older 
than you suppose, and as to my curls, I will cut them off, as 
that is the only way to get rid of them ; they are obstinate," 
Her soft blue eyes pleaded eloquently as she said, "Pray let 
me go; I am able, willing and resolute. I dream of the hospi- 
tals, and know that I could alleviate much suffering." "Have 
you ever nursed?" "Not continuously, but I have had a 
thorough medical education in an Eastern institution, and 
understand the surgical dressing of wounds. You must not 
refuse me." 

After consultation we agreed, in this case, to transcend 
our ordinary rules, and with many exactions and some trep- 
idation, gave her a detail, after telling her of the suspicion, 
hardships, and lisk of health to which she would be exposed. 
She knew it all ; had a relative who had been in hospitals, 
and his letters and tales of woe only inspired her with added 
determination. She left that night for Paducah Hospital, then 
filled to its utmost capacity, with sick and wounded soldiers. 

From time to time, we heard accounts of her remarkable 
success. Then came a letter from the surgeon of the hospital, 
praising her ability and faithfulness, wondering at her skill, 
so perceptible, that he had placed her in charge of a ward of 
surgical cases that were improving rapidly, she still following 



^ ffl IE 






^mMmfym^ . ^^ 






INTO 







a.Treat *. G"? Publish 



MISS FIFIELD AND MISS ROBB. 113 

our advice, burying in silence her medical education and 
degree. After she had toiled a year without respite, we were 
shocked to receive the following telegram from the surgeon : 
" Almira Fifield is dead ; send for her body." Investigation 
proved that over-exertion and a malarious atmosphere had 
'caused a congestive chill, which she concealed as far as pos- 
sible, fearing she might be sent home and obliged to leave 
the "boys," who clung to her for life, hope, and health. 
"Want of rest and change induced a repetition of the attack, 
shattered the frail casket, and released the almost glorified 
spirit of this youthful martyr to liberty and humanity. 

Three sisters, of the name of Eobb, were successively ex- 
amined and approved by us for hospital service. They had 
fine Scotch physiques, much executive ability, and active 
piety. Two of the sisters were driven home to Chicago in 
the course of the year, feeble and attenuated by their pro- 
digious labors. The third resolved to remain and risk her 
life for the regiment to which she was attached, which 
had learned to rely on her strength and wisdom, in sickness 
and in health. In mid-winter she was seized with the Mis- 
sissippi fever, under which she sank, and began her new 
year in heaven, where so many, to whom she had ministered 
spiritually and temporally, had preceded her. 

Mrs. Livermore visited Milliken's Bend, the spring follow- 
ing her death. The regiment in which. Miss Eobb had labored 
was quartered on one of the most princely plantations of that 
region. It had been preserved, almost intact ; its dwelling- 
house, stables, negro huts, cotton-house, and flower-garden, 
were unmolested and in perfection. As Mrs. Livermore's 

escort of blue coats accompanied her, pointing out its various 
8 



11-4 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

beauties, she observed a rude paling, inclosing a square, filled 
with perennials in full bloom and variety, and a wealth of 
myrtle that almost obscured the mound, that casts the shadow 
of death, even over the gayest parterre. She thought the 
subdued voices and soft tread of the " men " spoke of a com- 
rade taking his rest. One of them said, " This is Miss Robb's 
grave. When she was dying, she wanted to be buried in 
sight of the camp, in the midst of us all, living and dead. 
We put her here, and have tried to show how we honored 
her. We had nothing but flowers and boards to work with. 
We have her favorite flowers, and myrtle^ you know, means 
lovey They had planted a memorial worthy of their mar- 
tyred nurse, more fair, significant, and touching, in its peren- 
nial bloom, than sculptured marble or majestic pyramid. 

Some women who did not die in actual service fell victims 
slowly to disease, the result of fatigue and exposure. Since 
the close of the war they have been, and still are, filling 
untimely graves. Since the body of this work was written, 
the press has recorded the death of Miss Kachel McFadden, 
of Pittsburg. She was the motive power of the Pittsburg 
Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, and with her 
abounding zeal, strong will, and fine executive ability, 
inspired the hearts of the noble aids who carried on the 
work at that place so efl&ciently. After a severe battle in 
the West, she received a telegram from Dr. Newberry, at 
Louisville. It said : " Send all your stores at once — they 
are greatly needed." She understood its meaning, and with- 
out a moment's delay, asked a gentleman of the Commission 
for two car-loads of stores to be sent that day. The treasury 
was dejjleted, the freight-cars crowded with merchandise, the 



MISS RACHEL M'FADDEN. 115 

time very short. He replied, astonished at the demand, "It 
cannot be done ; you might as well try to move the Alle- 
ghanies." "No! no!" she answered, '■'■ you can't hitch those 
on to a locomotive and send them steaming down South^ hut you 
can tioo car-loads of supplies^ Her persistent resolution 
inspired the entire band of workers; the gentlemen of the 
Commission, including the one referred to, became infused 
with renewed life and energy, and the evening train answered 
the telegram satisfactorily, by carrying the two car-loads of 
sanitary supplies, to the suffering heroes at Louisville. The 
close of the Commission alone released her from her labors ; 
but overwrought activity of brain and mind had so dimin- 
ished vital forces and recuperative power, that slowly, but 
steadily, she walked down into the valley from whence no 
traveller returns, and added another to the list of lives conse- 
crated on the altar of Freedom. 

I cannot dismiss this important subject without alluding to 
the work of women in camps and battle-fields. My experi- 
ence during the war convinced me it should be confined to 
the very few women of suitable age that were specially 
endowed for this most difficult and delicate branch, of the 
entire round of women's many labors. I cannot ignore it, 
while I have been permitted to see and know the labors of 
Mother Bickerdyke, Mrs^ George Harvey, Mrs. Jeremiah 
Porter, Mrs. Dr. Harris, Mrs. Plummer, Miss Johnson, Mrs. 
Green, and others not less deserving, who have accomplished 
so vast an amount of good in camps and battle-fields. Great 
interest has been felt and expressed to obtain an accurate 
and reliable account of the work of Mrs. Bickerdyke in the 
army, supreme in extent and results. 



116 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER VII. 

SKETCH OF MRS. BICKERDYKE. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke's amazing energy and futile expedients. — Laundries 
and bakeries. — Major-Gen. Buford. — Her refusal to nurse a Major- 
General's son. — Her call to the hospitals from Galesburg. — Mrs. B. 
and unfaithful ward,-master in Brick Hospital, Cairo. — Her trips 
on hospital transports after battle at Pittsburg Landing. — Feat on 
the Fanny Bullet. — Sketch of the armada leaving Fort Henry. — 
Mrs. B.'s hospital work at Savannah. — At Corinth. — Eemoval of 
hospital in the midst of the battle of Corinth. — Her work in small- 
pox hospital at Memphis. — Her laundries at Memphis. — Her raid on 
IsTorthern cows and hens for benefit of Memphis Hospital. — Her 
personal gifts to soldiers. — Her work at Huntsville. — Her work at 
Beaufort, Morehead City, Wilmington, and finally in Sherman's 
victorious army. 

Mother, was the sobriquet of this extraordinary woman 
throughout the entire Western army. In General Sherman's 
old corps (the 15th) she seemed to be the individual mother 
of every man in the ranks. She was sui generis, and as such, 
can neither be described nor judged according to ordinary 
rules. In the rapid organization of a huge army there was 
necessarily much ignorance among its officials, of wise and 
necessary army routine. This want of knowledge and 
experience, bewildered and hampered even conscientious 
men, desirous to do their duty. In the rapid and numerous 
appointments, some unfaithful surgeons found place, who 



MRS. BICKERDYKE. 117 

were arrogant and overbearing in proportion to their igno- 
rance and lack of principle. The victims of incompetency 
and faithlessness were the "rank and file" of the army, who 
had no redress, but were reduced from individual, intelligent 
existence, to machines for military purposes. 

These evils were the inevitable results of war suddenly 
precipitated on a peaceful people. In such exigencies God 
raises up individuals, in civil and military life, fit for pioneer 
work, with ability and zeal that raises them above their 
fellows, with gifts suited to the occasion. The subsoil of the 
prairie cannot be upturned by an ordinary machine, nor 
brooding pestilence scattered by the soft winds of heaven, 
" blow they never so sweetly." The successful prairie far- 
mer must fall back on the prairie-plough, drawn by half a 
score of oxen, and the thunderhoU must scatter the pestilence 
that " walketh in darkness, and wasteth at noonday." 

So in the army. When hospitals were rank with disease 
and death, foul with festering and unwashed wounds, and 
unclean garments, inexperienced surgeons stood aghast, and 
felt almost powerless to cleanse and purify ; while arrogant, 
negligent, and merciless men fell back on army routine and 
technicalities, and said that soldiers, when they entered the 
army, must expect to die, and recovery from amputations 
must be the rare excep'tion. The prairie-plough and the 
thunderstorm were needed, and they came, in the person of 
Mrs. Bickerdyke. A pythoness, if her precious boys, as she 
called them, were assaulted, she was gentle and tender as a 
loving mother, to every sick and wounded soldier. Woe be 
to the man, no matter what his rank, who trampled on the 
rights of the "Boys in Blue." 



118 .THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Faithful surgeons praised her, and relied upon her skill, 
strength, and tenderness. Those who were the reverse, 
cursed her, and clamored for her removal. No doubt, in 
doing her rapid and mighty work, she overturned some fair 
flowers of fragrant growth, and levelled well-built fences, 
perchance some beauteous spire; but after the ground was 
made fallow and the air purified, the wrecks were overlooked 
in view of the mightj resultant blessings. Her efforts not 
only saved unnumbered lives and mitigated untold suffering 
in her own hospitals, but, by the example they afforded to 
others, became schools of instruction. 

Her huge, organized laundries saved hundreds of thou- 
sands of dollars to the Government and to the Sanitary 
Commission, by washing what would otherwise have been 
destroyed, to say nothing of the health and comfort they 
bestowed upon the sick. She was herculean in strength and 
indomitable in will, and possessed the most extraordinary 
endurance. She saw no lions in the way, admitted the 
existence of no obstacles — naming what others would regard 
as such, " cobwebs," and these, she demolished with non- 
chalant and invincible energy. The surgeons admitted that 
she had no rival in extemporizing, organizing, and running 
hospitals. By the fertility of her expedients she managed to 
supply even field-hospitals with soft bread, sometimes pies 
and cookies. The great military men — Grant, Sherman, 
McPherson, Thomas, Logan — were her firm friends, and sup- 
plied her with facilities to carry on her work — teams, detailed 
soldiers, and railroad transportation. 

They became converts to her boldly-avowed and com- 
inon-sense assertion that she "could no more take care of the 



MRS. B. AND THE SICK MA JOE-GENERAL. 119 

sick without transportation for her stores and her appliances, 
than thej could pound tlie enemy without rations and am- 
munition." Her great army-work was for the common 
soldier ; but occasionally she condescended to an officer^ and 

once in a long while to a major-general. Col. , from 

Ohio, boasted that Mother Bickerdyke had saved his life, 
after a severe amputation, and treated him as ivell as a pri- 
vate^ even after she was told he was an officer. 

Maj.-Gen. B told me, with glistening eyes, she bad 

saved his life at Corinth. He had a terrific congestive chill ; 
was laboring for breath, unrelieved b}'- medicine, when he 
sent for Mrs. B as a last resort, knowing her unwilling- 
ness to leave the men who so much needed her services. 
"General," said she, "you must have a bath." "A bath ! " 
he gasped ; "that's impossible; there's no water within four 
miles." " Never you mind that," said she ; " I'll get it " 
That was enough for the General, and he waited. In fifteen 
minutes she appeared, with two soldiers, carrying a huge tub 
of steaming water. "Now, boys," she said, " strip the Gen- 
eral, put him in the tub, cover him close with a blanket, and 
I will give him a drink." Her orders were promptly obeyed. 
She gave him a glass of hot toddy ; then had him rubbed 
with dry, warm cloths, till circulation was restored, placed 
him in bed, surrounded with hot bricks, and Eichard was 
himself again. I recently asked her the particulars of thf. 
case. They corresponded precisely with the General's state- 
ment, and she added with glee, " and he didn't know that I 
afterwards bathed sixteen tired, dirty, half sick boys in the 
same water, adding a little hot each time, as all the water for 
the hosp>itals was hauled four miles.''^ 



120 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

The wife of one of our most distinguished military leaders 
at one time, sent for her to come and nurse her sick child. 
She replied, " I am sorry ; but I can't do it. I came into 
the army to nurse the boys, not major-generals' children. 
The child has no business here, anyhow ; he ought to be at 
home." After the close of the war, Mrs. B. was taking tea 
at the house of this ofl&cer, and he pointed to a little boy, 
saying, "Mrs. B., that is the child you refused to nurse, 
and said ought to be at home." She replied, " General, did 
I say right ? " " You did," was the answer. 

At the commencement of the war, Mrs. Bickerdyke was a 
widow, with two young sons, residing in Galesburg, Illinois. 
Dr. Woodruff, surgeon of 22d Eegiment Illinois Volunteers, 
was from the same place, and wrote from below to his friends 
of the sufiering of the army. The letter was read in church ; 
she heard it. Being a famous nurse and housekeeper, with 
a tender, patriotic heart, Mrs. B. felt called upon to go. Her 
friends and neighbors agreed with her, and Mrs. Colton, of 
Galesburg, placed at her disposal five hundred dollars' worth 
of sanitary stores to take to the hospitals. 

Her first army work was at Bird's Point, where, for a time, 
there was a regimental hospital. From that place she went 
to Fort Holt, thence to the Brick Hospital of Cairo, keeping 
in the track of the most important and needy hospitals, and 
constantly receiving more or less assistance from the North- 
Western Sanitary Commission, and friends in Illinois; also 
from Mr. and Miss Safibrd, of Cairo. 

She soon discovered a disposition to misappropriate sani- 
tary stores, and raised her first tempest in the Brick Hospital 
at Cairo. A fine box of supplies had been consigned to 



UNFAITHFUL WARD-MASTER. 121 

lier from Galesburg, conspicuously marked with the name 
of the society that sent them. She gave a certain number 
of shirts, socks, and slippers to a ward-master to distribute. 
The next morning, in going her rounds, she perceived this 
official wearing a sanitary shirt, broadly marked, while one 
of his sick patieats was minus his clean one. " Where did 
you get that shirt? " she said, fiercely. "It's none of your 
business," he answered. "I'll see if it isn't," she replied; 
and seizing it, as he had no coat on, she drew it over the 
head of the unfortunate wight, stunned into silence. "Now 
let me see your feet ? " said she, stooping and taking one in 
her hand. Off came the socks and slippers in a twinkling, 
to the infinite delight of the patients. The denuded thief 
slunk off suddenly, a sadder and a wiser man, and Mrs. B. 
had no further trouble in this hospital concerning sanitary 
stores. 

She took charge of the nursing in the amputation ward 
in the Brick Hospital, and astonished all, by her skill and 
endurance. The men, strange to say, were made comfort- 
able. In retrospect this is difficult to comprehend, when the 
paucity of supplies and conveniences in the earlier part of 
the war, are borne in mind. Mrs. Bickerdyke says they lived 
from day to day, and supplies came as manna in the wil- 
derness. After the battle of Donelson, where many of the 
wounded men lay in the cold and storm more than twenty- 
four hours without relief, Mrs. B. went up to the fort on the 
hospital-boat, to take charge of them in transitu. She accom- 
panied and attended five boat-loads of these freshly-wounded 
men to Paducah, Mound City, Cairo, Evansville, and Louis- 
ville. "What superhuman strength and endurance, executive 



122 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ability and fertile genius, such a work, at such a time, required, 
cannot be comprehended by any who have not witnessed 
such scenes and worked upon hospital transports. 

After depositing her precious, but heart-rending freights, 
she accompanied the 21st Kegiment of Indiana Volun- 
teers, on the Fanny Bullet, to Pittsburg Xanding, to take 
charge of their hospital. With wonderful forethought and 
resolution, appreciated only by those who have seen the 
filthy and offensive cast-off clothing of wounded men, she 
had all of this material in use, after the battle of Donelson, 
boxed up and placed on the boat. After the 21st Indiana 
disembarked from the steamer at Pittsburg Landing, she 
succeeded in having an order issued, for the boat to back 
down to Savannah with these hideous boxes. She there 
assorted them herself, and had many thousands of pieces 
washed by "contrabands," hired for the purpose. This 
clothing was thoroughly dried and repacked, in readiness for 
the bloody battle of Shiloh, where it proved to be of untold 
value. But even the wonderful physical energy of Mrs. 
Bickerdyke succumbed for a time, after this nauseous effort. 
She lay prostrate at Savannah two days, retching incessantly 
from its effects. 

The Fanny Bullet was one of the prodigious battle-fleet of 
eighty-two steamers, filled with troops and warlike append- 
ages, that left Fort Henry in March, 1863, for Pittsburg 
Landing. The victorious troops of Donelson marched over 
to Fort Henry to become part of the "armada." The 
morning, though bright, was cold ; and these troops were 
obliged to march two miles, in water six inches deep, on the 
bottom-land, in order to reach the steamers, crowded with 



DEATH OF GEN. C. F. SMITH. 123 

troops, and found no fire to dry them, or hot coffee to warm 
them. With undiminished ardor, they joined the mighty 
chorus of" huzzas and cheers that went up from that great 
battle-fleet, till it drowned the music of bands and artillery. 
'Twere well if the bereaved could forget how many of 
this heroic multitude bit the dust at Shilob, and poured out 
a stream of blood, that dyed the bottom-lands of Fittsburg 
Landing. 

It was at this place that Mrs. Bickerdyke nursed the gal- 
lant Gen. C. F. Smith, who she quaintly said fought himself 
to death at Donelson. During the progress of the battle at 
the Landing on the first day, when the odds were against us, 
he sprang from his bed, wildly rushed through his tent, ex- 
claiming, "It can't be — those brave troops will never surren- 
der, they will fight to the last and conquer. Oh ! that I were 
with them." He joined those that had gone before, ere many 
days had passed, and the country mourned a true patriot and 
skilful leader, when Gen. C. F. Smith yielded up his life at 
Pittsburg Landing, to insidious disease, greatly increased and 
complicated by anxiety and excitement. 

After the battle, hospitals were extemporized in churches, 
cotton-gins, stables, and private houses at Savannah, where 
the men lay on straw, sparsely scattered on bare floors. 
Mrs. B. took possession of a small house, and she had in it 
seventy wounded men, and eight officers of the 21st Indiana. 
After this battle she received what was then a magnificent 
supply — one hundred cases of sanitary stores, from the 
North- Western Sanitary Commission of Chicago, in connec- 
tion with which branch she worked from that tin\p. It will 
be readily believed, that in the utter destitution then prevail- 



124 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ing, their contents were soon distributed among 3,000 badly 
wounded men, 500 of whom were placed in Siblej tents, in 
the immediate neighborhood. Early in July, the' hospitals 
at Savannah being nearly vacant, Mrs. B. was transferred to 
the Great Farmington Hospital. She found there 1,400 men 
from the siege of Corinth, and she accompanied several hun- 
dred sick and wounded men from luka to the Farmington 
Hospital, where she remained till the beginning of Septem- 
ber, when the sick and wounded were removed to Corinth, 
to be secure from the assaults of the enemy. Dr. McDougal, 
the Medical Director at that time, furnished Mrs. B. with 
every facility to carry out her extended schemes of relief. 
He was a man of ability and humanity, and highly appre- 
ciated her services. She was matron of the large and com- 
plete hospital at Corinth, which occupied the female academy 
of that place, beautifully situated on rising ground, with a 
large addition of hospital tents. She had established in the 
building a fine diet-kitchen and laundry, and was running 
the entire concern with her accustomed success, when the 
battle commenced and was fought on the 3d and 4th of 
October, 1862. So perfect and comprehensive was the sys- 
tem, that notwithstanding the immense and sudden influx of 
wounded during the battle, and sick and wounded rebels 
left on our hands at its conclusion, it was said that perfect 
order was maintained, and every man attended properly. 

A painful, and to a less able and energetic person, an over- 
whelming calamity took place, as the battle progressed; the 
hospital came within range of the enemy's artillery. It must 
of course be removed, at all hazards. Between the hours of 
8 P.M. and 3 a.m., it was skilfully, safely and thoroughly 



MRS. B. AT SMALL-POX HOSPITAL, MEMPHIS. 125 

accomplished, and the rising sun found the patients in their 
cots in a field-hospital, in a valley at Kincaid's Grove, with' 
balls and shells flying harmlessly over them. Towards the 
achievement of this delicate and difficult task, Mrs. B. con- 
tributed essential and conspicuous aid. At the close of the 
battle, they again resumed their former delightful and con- 
venient quarters in the academy. 

After a furlough to recruit, and provide for her children, 
Mrs. Bickerdyke returned to Memphis, January, 1863. 
She assisted in fitting up Adams' Block Hospital, also the 
Gayoso Block Hospital, which I shall describe in its appro- 
priate place. I happened to be in Memphis, shortly after she 
took possession of the one last named. The medical staff 
were in a spasm of delight, over a feat she had just accom- 
plished. 

The small-pox hospital had become a charnel-house, and 
there seemed none to regenerate it. Nine men lay in the 
dead-house, and numbers were on the road to join them. 
The Medical Director, Dr. Irvin, consulted with Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke. She at once proposed to enter and purify it. He 
objected, on the score of her overwhelming duties; for in 
addition to her hospital labors, she was running a laundry 
iJiat loashed the clothes of all the hospitals in Memphis. He 
also feared she might spread the infection. She said in reply, 
' that the hospitals were running so finely, that she could be 
spared a few weeks, and as to the infection, she would 
pledge herself it should not spread. The doctor had learned 
to trust her, and gladly consented. She at once took charge 
of the revolting place. An ordinary thunder-storm would 
be powerless here, and she created an earthquake; ran the 



126 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

prairie-plougli through the filthy grounds and out-houses, 
overturning cots, and disembowelling foul beds, let in the 
air and light of heaven, whitewashed the walls, cleansed 
the men, supplied them with fresh clothing and whole- 
some sick-food, scattered disinfectants broadcast, and in three 
weeks had a pure, clean hospital, where few men died, and 
all were made as comfortable as the loathsome disease would 
permit. 

In the spring of 1864 she- came North, to carry out a char- 
acteristic Bickerdyke project. She declared the boys in hos- 
pital must have fresh milk, and nothing but cows could give 
it ; and they must be solicited from the Western farmers, and 
taken down to Memphis. And then she wanted hundreds 
of hens to la}'' fresh eggs for the sick. The Commission 
consented to the plan, and agreed to furnish transportation 
for the cows and hens. The store-room was, for the nonce, 
transformed into a hennery, with crowing chanticleers and 
cackling hens, to the great delight of the boys. Mrs. B. 
procured eighty cows and several hundred hens, and they 
were transmitted to her at Memphis. The cows were de- 
tailed with military precision to the hospitals, in proportion 
to the number of their inmates. The unfortunate fowls were 
at once seized and decapitated for the use of the sick, who 
were in perishing need of chicken broth. 

From Memphis, where the hospitals decreased in size and 
number, as it became further off' from the army base, Mrs. 
B. went to Vicksburg, and from thence to Chattanooga, with 
the Fifteenth Army Corps. She remained with Sherman's 
army through the entire series of its brilliant victories and 
bloody fights ; receiving and caring for its wounded, running 



THE "boys" at mission RIDGE. 127 

and consolidating hospitals, superintending laundries — as she 
carried her washers and wringers, furnished by the Sanitary 
Commission, with her. 

She superintended the cooking of hundreds of tons of sani- 
tary stores and vegetables. Sometimes, when transportation 
was impossible, and foragers unsuccessful, she sold the clothes 
that had been sent by the Sanitary Commission, to make her 
comfortable, for butter, eggs, and milk for the hospitals. If, 
in her journeys, she found men suffering with wounds fester- 
ing for lack of clean bandages, her own clothing was torn 
into strips, and her own night-dresses taken for clean cover- 
ing for the poor emaciated soldiers, she jocularly telling them, 
if asked any questions about the ruffles, to say they were 
secesh shirts. No exigencies baffled her skill and self-denial. 

At Mission Ridge, in the middle of winter, when the 
troops under General Sherman returned from their chase 
after the enemy to Knoxville, their clothes and shoes were 
worn to tatters, and some of the veterans tracked the ground 
with blood. Gen. Sherman was as rusty as the "boys," for 
he always shared their hardships and their danger, and gave 
them a due share of the glory. As they were drawn up in 
line to receive their rations, the ragged but jubilant veterans 
took their ear of corn, the only ration, with as keen a relish 
and as gleeful faces, as a child his apple at recess. They 
knew the emergency was unavoidable, and manfully endured 
the hardships. At Chattanooga, the hospital labor was 
greatly intensified by the excessive cold and severe storm 
which prostrated the tents, and exposed the men to the fury 
of the wind and frost. Pioneer corps were kept all night 
cutting wood and piling up large blazing fires, and others 



128 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

scattering living coals around the cots, to preserve the men 
from freezing. 

During the progress of this campaign forty new Govern- 
ment wagons were sent across the country from Nashville 
to Huntsville, for the use of the army. They were loaded 
to their utmost capacity with Sanitary Commission stores of 
sour-krout, onions, potatoes, pickles, and dried apples. These 
supplies were divided to the regiments by the sanitary au- 
thorities at Xashville, assisted by Mrs. Bickerdyke and Mrs. 
Porter, in the course of three weeks. They were dealt out 
as rations; one barrel of onions to one hundred men, one 
barrel of potatoes to fifty men, two barrels of pickles and 
tw^o barrels of sour-krout to a regiment. At Altona the 
genius of Mrs. B. and her admirable co-worker, Mrs. Porter 
(both being connected with the North- Western Sanitary Com- 
mission), found full scope. At Kingston, nine thousand men 
passed through the hospitals; and at Atlanta, the great field- 
hospitals covered thirty acres of ground. 

The day before the evacuation and burning of Atlanta 
they left for the North, went to Philadelphia, obtained large 
donations of supplies from the Christian Commission, and 
took them to Beaufort, Morehead City, and Wilmington, to 
distribute. From thence they returned to Washington in 
time to meet Sherman's victorious army, to which they 
assisted in distributing vast amounts of clothing and edibles, 
furnished by the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Thus 
closed the field labor of Mrs. Bickerdyke in the army, to 
which she had proved an invaluable blessing, and by whom 
she will ever be held in grateful remembrance. 

At the close of this sketch, I M'ould make a brief statement 



FLOATING HOSPITALS AND SOUP CAULDRONS. 129 

of the first supply-work of the U. S. Sanitary Commission 
and its branches, in the Western Department, in which Mrs. 
Bickerdyke was so largely interested. When the news of 
the battle of Donelson reached Cincinnati, three thousand 
dollars were promptly subscribed, to pay the e:^penses of a 
steamer fitted up by the Sanitary Commission, and furnished 
with nurses and supplies. Dr. Newberry joined the expedi- 
tion at Louisville, and donations from Cleveland and Chicago 
branches were added to the stores. The steamers supplied 
by the Commission, were drawn upon ad libitum, by all the 
transports containing the wounded, and this relief proved as 
valuable, as it was novel and unexpected. Dr. Douglas, an 
associate secretary of the Commission, had suggested to Gen. 
Grant, while at Cairo, the importance of a floating hospital. 
This idea was adopted by the Government, and the hospital- 
steamer. City of Memphis, carrying eight hundred men, was 
detailed for the purpose, and was ready for service after the 
battle of Donelson. A depot of supplies had been established 
at Cairo by Dr. Douglas, under the care of the Chicago Branch, 
from which these boats could be supplied. A depot was also 
established at Paducah. 

By the fall of Donelson, the Cumberland Eiver was open- 
ed to Nashville, at which point a depot of the Commission 
was established, and also at Savannah, as soon as Gen. Grant 
took possession of that place. After the bloody battle of 
.Shiloh, these depots were ready to give assistance. Dr. 
Douglas and Dr. Warriner, with a delegation from Chicago 
and other branches, went up on the steamer Louisiana, and 
in that scene of confusion, misery and death, dealt out sup- 
plies and gave assistance to every boat. On the second day, 





130 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the Cincinnati Brancb of the U, S. Sanitary Commission sent 
two first-class steamers, the Tycoon and the Monarch, fur- 
nished with every possible comfort. They exchanged their 
stores for wounded men, and carried them to hospitals on 
the Ohio River. 

After the battle, the U. S. Sanitary Commission establish- 
ed a depot at Pittsburg Landing, on the boat of the Medical 
Purveyor, at his own request, and in five weeks disbursed 
100,143 articles, consisting of clothing and edibles,' bottles, 
cans, and pounds of nourishing food and stimulants, neces- 
sary for wounded men. The great soup cauldrons of the 
army, were first suggested and introduced by the Sanitary 
Commission, and were afterwards universally adopted in the 
Western army, and the first of these effective appliances were 
sent from the Chicago Sanitary Commission. Sanitary Com- 
mission depots followed the army in its entire campaigns, 
and this volume might be filled with testimonials from men 
and officers, of its benefits and blessings, which can only re- 
ceive a passing notice in a work of this character. 

Before closing this subject, the inestimable value of the 
volunteer service of the North-Western railroads and tele- 
graph lines, in addition to the aid of the Press, previously 
acknowledo-ed, deserve honorable mention and warm com- 
mendation. Prompt and free transportation for sanitar}'- 
stores, as well as free passes for agents or representatives 
of the North- Western Commission, were granted at all times 
and under all circumstances ; and gratuitous and unlimited 
use of the telegraph lines were permitted for the relief of 
the anxious friends of the soldiers and the furtherance of 
the various modes of the Commission's work. The aids 



FLOATING HOSPITALS AND SOUP CAULDRONS. 131 

given from these various sources can scarcely be computed 
in money, as the necessary outlay for them would have 
consumed most of the means used in the relief work of the 
Commission. The immense pressure on the roads, the press, 
and the telegraph lines during the war, made these contri- 
butions increasingly valuable and generous. In order to 
approximate the results, it must be borne in mind that the 
Chicago Branch 'received over the roads, during the war, a 
nlillion dollars' worth of supplies, and transmitted by the 
Illinois Central Railroad to Cairo, almost a million and a 
half dollars' worth of stores free of expense. Henceforth, 
the time-honored adage that " corporations have no souls," 
must be revised and corrected. Corporations and corps in 
the North- West represented and justified the benevolence 
and patriotism of their members. It is no small gratifica- 
tion to me, and only common justice to the donors, to give 
my testimony to the value of the contributions of the press, 
the railroads, and the telegraph lines of the North- West. 
Doubtle^ it was the same elsewhere, but of these I speak 
" whei'eof I know," 



132 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTEE YIII. 

Visit of members of the Commission toHlie army, — Dr. W. W. Patton, 
Vice-President. — Mrs. Hoo-e and Mrs. Colt's visit to the army at re- 
quest of Commission. — Mrs. SafFord at Cairo. — Credentials. — Pas- 
senger steamer Ruth. — She is seized at Columbus as transport of 
war. — Sketch of young soldier from Iowa, and liis story. — Contra- 
band group. — Anecdote of Caosar. — Departure from Columbus. — 
Island No. 10. — Approach to Memphis. — Her former prosperity. — 
Blasted prospects. — Public square. — Jackson's statue. — Sketch of 
Southern desolation, and its cause. — Arrival at Memphis. — Hospitals 
of Memphis. — Wounded soldiers from Vicksburg. — Sanitary depot. 

As the work of the Commission progressed, it became evi- 
dent that actual contact with the army and visits to the 
depots and soldiers' homes, relief stations, and other points 
of the work of the Commission, were necessary to its success- 
ful operation. These journeys were made by several members 
of the Commission, and reports given to the people at home, 
through the Monthly Bulletin and daily press, and through 
the pnlpit by Eev. Dr. Patton, a Vice-President of the Com- 
mission, who several times visited the field. 

The President, Hon. Mark Skinner, with commendable 
breadth, foresaw the advantage that such a journey would 
secure to those who had undertaken to keep the treasury 
and the shelves of the Chicago Branch filled ; thereby ena- 
bling them to state or write what they had seen of the troops, 



LE^TTER OF CREDENTIALS. 133 

and of the supplies furnished to the Commission. He sug- 
gested that Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Colt, and m3'self, should 
visit the army, and offered every facility to enable us to 
carry out the plan successfully. Mrs. Colt, who was doing 
the work in Wisconsin that we were doing in other States, 
accepted the invitation at this time, and Mrs. Livermore and 
myself alternated in these army trips. 

As the best mode of explaining the precise object of our 
journey, and to illustrate the systematic and official mode 
of the work of the Commission, I insert, verbatim^ the letter 
of credentials placed in our hands by Hon. Mark Skinner, 
whose name and official position we found a passport every- 
where. 

CmcAGO SANirART Commission, January 5, 1863. 
To Officers in command U. S. Army, &c. : 

Mrs. A. II. Hoge visits, in company* with Mrs. H. L. 
Colt, the hospitals and camps in and about Vicksburg, Mem- 
phis, etc., on behalf of our Commission, for the purpose of 
distributing supplies, and to inspect and report to this Com- 
mission everything in regard to the need of sanitary stores, 
the kinds wanted, the best method of preparing and forward- 
ing, and whatever else may be important' or valuable for 
our Commission to know. Whatever aid these ladies may 
need in order to facilitate their movements, is respectfully 

asked in their behalf. 

Mark Skinner, 

Pres. Cliicago San. Comm^ission. 

Officers, agents, and persons in the employ of the U. S. 
Sanitary Commission are desired to render all aid to these 
ladies that they may ask or need. 



134 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

It will be readily perceived, that with such official indorse- 
ment, and the escort of Mr. John C. Williams, an esteemed 
citizen of Chicago (since deceased), we were fully armed for 
the work before us. 

The arbitrary character of military law changed the entire 
programme marked out for us, and sent us up White River 
to Duvall's Bluff, on General Gorman's expedition, to reduce 
the rebel forts on that river. This change of plan, though 
a deep disappointment at the time, gave us an opportunity 
of moving with the army, and of witnessing and understand- 
ing the character of the soldiers' transport life, and transport 
hospitals, that we could not have enjoyed under any other 
circumstances. At Cairo, we were most hospitably enter- 
tained by Mr. Safford, who, like his sister, entered heartily 
into the army work, and threw his comfortable mansion 
open, and freel}' entertained scores of male and female army 
workers throughout the war. 

Passage was secured for us, on the beautiful new steamer 
Ruth, luxurious in her appointments, rapid in her move- 
ments, and eminehtly safe in the hands of her courteous and 
able commander and joint owner, Capt. Pegram, of St. 
Louis. Our first trip on the Father of Waters promised to 
be a gala-day till we should reach Memphis. As soon as we 
touched the landing at Columbus, however, Gen. Fisk seized 
the boat as a transport of w\ar, and prepared to fill it with 
1,500 volunteers for a mysterious campaign, yet undivulged. 
The captain's depressed looks and remonstrance, weighed not 
a feather ; Uncle Sam needed the steamer, that was enough ; 
no questions need be asked, no objections made. The gay 
Ruth was as rapidly despoiled of her trappings, as a belle 



GROUP OF SOLDIERS AT COLUMBUS. 135 

from the ball-room ; they were laid aside for some future 
galu-day, and she was clad in the sombre habiliments of war. 
The decks were covered with the "Boys in Blue," General 
Clinton B. Fiske took command of the boat, and we were fair- 
ly embarked in the army on the move, under military orders. 

While these changes were being rapidly made, I strolled 
on the levee, and as usual, found myself in the midst of a 
group of soldiers. The sun had sunk below the horizon, 
and left a gorgeous retinue of clouds to tell of his departure. 
The turbid Mississippi, with its deep monotone, rolled ma- 
jestically towards the sea. Camp fires along the shores were 
becoming visible in the gathering evening, the sound of fife 
and drum mingled with the busy hum of preparation for a 
move, the frowuinsj fortifications of Columbus stood out 
boldly and clearly against the evening sky, while the lights^ 
and fires of a score of steamers, looked like an illumination 
for a victor3^ There was a glorious uncertainty in all our 
movements, whose mystery added romance to the scene. 
We knew we were going to battle, but none knew where, or 
when, or how, save the ofiicers in command. A soldier, sick 
or well, knows not his destination, but obeys orders whenever 
given, and asks no questions. 

I passed from group to group, and said a cheering word, 
and told how we loved and honored and labored for them 
at home. It required but a moment to gather lai'ge au- 
diences, and oh! -what listeners! The words home, wife, 
mother, alwa^ys drew forth cheers and tears, reverence and 
grateful thanks. I believe a more noble, brave, honorable, 
tender, patient and enduring race of men have never existed, 
than our Union soldiers. 



136 • ' THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

As I left the last gT0U]3 to walk to the fortifications,. I 
heard a quick step, and turning, saw a fine young man in 
the uniform of an orderly sergeant, lie touched his cap, and 
said, "Madam, excuse me, but if you will not consider it 
impertinent, I would ask the favor of accompanying you. 
I've always been accustomed to female society, and during 
the nine months I have been in the army, you are the first 
lady to whom I have spoken." I replied, '• I consider it a 
great honor to be escorted by a soldier, and as you are about 
the age of one of my sons, I should be glad to have your 
strong arm to lean upon as I ascend the hill, and you can 
tell me something of your historj^" 

"I am the last of eigld cldldren,^^ he said solemnl}^, "and 
my mother is a widow. I had a fine position, was a 
postmaster in Iowa, and could not ask for brighter prospects 
than I had, when the war broke out. At the first call, I felt 
that I must go, and said so to my mother. She faltered, and 
said, ' John, not yet ; so many mothers have more than one 
child, and some that have hut one, are not icidoivs.'' I felt 
'twas true, specially as father had left her to my care. The 
second call came. As it happened, it was harder than ever 
to go, for I had another's consent to ask beside my mother's, 
then. Next 'door to us lived an orphan girl, whom I had 
known and loved from childhood — I never knew how 
much, till it appeared possible I might have to leave her. 
Before I knew it, I had told her all, and found she loved me 
also. We were engaged to be married. ITevertheless, I felt 
I must go now, and at once told mother. She turned pale, but 
said, ' John, I'll be as good as my word ; go, and God bless 
you. But what of Mary ? ' ' I'll see her at once,' I said, 



JOHNS TOUCHING STORY. 13 < 

and in five minutes I was beside her on the porch, where 
she stood every evening waiting for me, on the very spot 
where we first pledged our troth, 

" In the dim twilight, her woman's eye read something amiss. 
She said quickly : ' What's the matter, John ; are you ill ? ' 
'Not ill, but sad, for I must leave you, Mar}^ The Presi- 
dent has called for 300,000 men, and I must be going. 
Mother says yes ; what say you? ' The color had faded from 
her cheek, bu|; her eye brightened as she said : ' God forbid 
"I should stand in your way. As your mother said, I say. 
Go, and God bless you! I've been fearing and hoping for 
this, I love you better than ever, and should have felt 
ashamed had you held back. But, John, one thing must be 
done. I never expected to say this — but we must be married. 
If you are sick or wounded I must go to you ; and when 
you leave, I must live with your mother ; ' and she whis- 
pered, as she laid her head upon my shoulder, 'I would 
rather be your widow than any other man's bride.' Next 
day we were married, I enlisted, and shortly was on my way 
to my regiment. Strange as it ;nay seem, I never regretted 
the step. Mother and Mary live together, and write such 
cheerful letters twice a week that I could not be despondent if 
I would. They say : 'Keep up your courage, John ; God takes 
care of us, and will of you. We expect you home at the end 
of the war loaded with honors, and oh! what a welcome we'll 
give you,' I brought my wedding coat, and looked at it 
with smiles and tears every night and morning, as it hung in 
my tent. Some villain stole it last night, and the gold of Cali- 
fornia could not have bought it, No matter ; I have their da- 
guerreotypes ; I wish it was not too dark for you to see them." 



13S , THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Just at this point, we had reached the brow of the hili, 
crowned witli its frowning battlements. The golden purple 
had flided from the clouds ; the dimly defined battle-field of 
Belmont lay across the stream, whose surging tone mingled 
with the distant hum of moving squadrons, as they filed into 
the boats; the solemn tread of the sentinels, and the boom- 
ing of the evening gun, completed the warlike character of 
this strange, but fascinating scene. "We stood in silence, our 
hearts too full for utterance. I could but feel, as mine beat 
tumultuously, why is it that some sacrifice so much in this 
great struggle for national existence, while others pass heed- 
lessly on, reaping the fruit of their bloody sweat and toil, and 
talk of pelf given and labors bestowed on these heroes? 

My young friend passed his hand hastily across his eyes, 
and said : "Don't think I would have things otherwise. I 
counted the cost, and am willing to pay the price, be it what 
it may." I said, " A moment since. I pitied you, now I envy 
you. You are happy in your choice, are sustained by wife 
and mother, know what self-sacrificing patriotism means, and 
trust God implicitly." "You are right," he said. "I will 
write your words to mother and Mary, for I am proud of 
them both." We walked down the hill rapidly and silently, 
and were soon at John's camp. He said: " 'Tis past taps; 
I must leave you. My colonel won't be hard ; he knows 
I'm never away in mischief. I must tell you I've been 
almost home to-night, madam. I believe God sent you here. 
For the first time in nine months I had a touch of home- 
sickness ; just before I met you. 'Tis all gone now — God 
bless and keep you — farewell." He vaulted lightly over the 
trench around the camp, and soon disappeared among the 



CONTRABANDS. 139 

white tents. I know not whether John still lives to bless his 
wife and mother, or sleeps in a Southern grave. One thing 
I know : living or dying, he is the Lord's, and will shine 
among his jewels. 

On iny return to the boat I found Gen. Fisk, with his staff 
and wife, established in the ladies' cabin, as headquarters. 
He at once offered us state-rooms and seats at his table, thus 
l^lacing us in the most agreeable relations with the army, and 
affording us a rare opportunity of seeing the routine of official 
as well as ordinary military life. 

We remained unwillingly thirty-six hours at Columbus, 
without any reason apparent to us. Then the labored move- 
ment of the engine, the slowly revolving wheels, the puffing 
steam and the shrill whistle, gave warning we were about to 
leave. On the edge of the bluff stood a novel group to 
ISTorthern eyes. They were contrabands — plantation hands 
of the genuine African type, with thick lips,long-heeled flat 
feet, and low foreheads ; some barely covered with coffee-bag 
skirts, and the remainder with parti-colored rags, that flapped 
in the fresh breeze, like tattered sails on black masts. They 
reminded us of ah anecdote told by Mrs. Gen. "W. at Cairo: 

A benevolent and radical anti-slavery friend, a few weeks 
previous, had taken a likely young contraband to train as 
waiter. The first step was to clothe him in a trim suit of 
coarse blue cloth. The experiment promised complete success, 
as Ctesar, though a plantation hand, was learning rapidly. 
The following morning he appeared to wait on table, with 
one leg of his pantaloons apparently torn from the hip down 
to the ankle. " Why, Coesar, what is the matter? " said the 
lady. '"Missus," said he, solemnly, "I ripped it; I wanted 



140 THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

to see it flop." These contrabands were already flopping. 
A person present, with some slavery sympathy, remarked, 
"Poor wretches! how much worse off free than slaves." 
"Not so," was answered. "Now they are clad in the gar- 
ments of slavery, and have the stamp of its degradation upon 
them. Decent free clothing, and a generation of requited toil 
and free-school advantages, will so wipe out the effects of tlie 
barbarism of slavery, that we may look upon God's image 
even in such as these." 

As w^e moved slowly from the landing, a huzza arose 
from other steamers filled with troops, our 1,500 blue-boys 
answering back. Drums rolled, handkerchiefs waved, last 
words were shouted, and we were off for Memphis. As«we 
passed Island No. 10, the sun was flooding its massive bat- 
tlements with the full morning light, and they looked as 
though they might have defied a rebel host, and made the 
memory of seventy spiked cannon, and hundreds of thou- 
sands of dollars' worth of government stores needlessly de- 
stroyed, a bitter memory. The guns were lying on the sides 
of the bluff, useless and deserted. 

As we swept proudly down the rapid current and rounded 
at the landing, the city of Memphis rose upon our view, on its 
commanding site — a magnificent stretch of table-land on the 
summit of an irregular bluff. The military accompaniments 
of the fort, and the white tents of several regiments on a level 
with the city, added greatly to the beauty of the panorama. 
Large blocks of new brick buildings, hotels, warehouses, and 
well paved streets, gave to Memphis the appearance of a 
thriving northern city. From its location, it commanded the 
trade of a large portion of Tennessee and Arkansas, and 



• ArPROACn TO CITY OF MEMPHIS. 141 

formed the connecting link between the commerce of the 
North and the Gulf of Mexico. 

With such remarkable facilities for trade and commerce, 
it enjoyed unequalled prosperity before the rebellion. 
Treason had blasted its fair prospects, and reduced the am- 
bitious city to a conquered province — a mere military post. 
The court-house and ofiices were closed, the pulpits silent, 
the school-houses deserted. Hotels and warehouses were 
transformed into military hospitals, many of the stately man- 
sions, encircled with lofty trees and velvet lawns, were oc- 
cupied as military headquarters. Large numbers of the 
citizens had entered the rebel army, and sent their families 
into the interior. Those that remained, were seldom seen 
abroad. Ichabod v/as written on the walls of this conquered 
city, which was reaping the bitter fruits of rebellion. 

AVe have rarely seen a more perfect little gem than the 
public square in Memphis, with its gorgeous magnolias, 
arbor-vittB and southern pines, in full green robes in Januar3^ 
But treason had left its marks even here, for the statue of the 
heroic Jackson in its centre had been mutilated, and the re-, 
buking motto, "The Federal Union, it must be preserved," 
defaced. 

The desolation of southern cities, towns, settlements, and 
plantations, was complete and indescribable. The " Father of 
"Waters" had been the great highway of the Mississippi Val- 
ley, the main artery of commerce and prosperity, carrying 
the life-blood from the heart to the extremities, giving the 
glow of health, the bloom of beauty, and vigor of bod\', 
to all the States through which it CQursed and throbbed. On 
the bosom of this majestic stream had been borne a continu- 



142 THE BOYS IN BLUE. • 

ous fleet of steamers, almost floating palaces, going to and fro 
like the ships of Tjre, till merchants had become princes, 
and planters oligarchs. Southern plantations were among 
the gardens of the earth for beauty, fragrance, verdure, land- 
scape art, and almost principalities in extent, population, and 
luxurious appendages of living. Choice libraries, gems of 
art, curious devices of gold and silver, formed part of 
the oriental splendor of these Southern palaces ; abodes of 
luxurious ease and unsuspecting, indolent repose. Be- 
neath, around, at the ver}'- core of this seeming pros- 
perity and dazzling display, lay the element of its destruc- 
tion ; the cause of its decay. Like the fabled vampire, it 
fanned its sleeping victims while it fed upon their vitals;* or 
like the mistletoe of its forests, it draped the stately trunk 
with the bright green robe of prosperity, while it drew from 
it the sap of its existence. 

The mighty steamers had not only carried silver, gold and 
merchandise, but they had transported human beings, men, 
women and children, born in God's image, for sale and bar- 
ter, converting them into chattels. They had carried hus- 
bands away from wives, and wives from husbands ; parents 
from children, and children from parents. They had borne 
manacled runaway slaves .back to the plantation and the 
lasli ; sometimes had become the platform of execution for 
hopeless beings, who, in the desperation of despair, bursting 
their bonds, found a watery grave in the turbid Missis- 
sippi, to hide them from further bondage, or hopeless sepa- 
ration from wife and children. These princely plantations 
had been sustained and furnished by the blood and sweat 
of unrequited, scourged labor. Their stately halls had often 



• SLAVERY THE CAUSE OF TREASON. 143 

been polluted with deeds of cruelty. The only hope for 
the conservation of this iniquitous system, being the legalized 
perpetuation of the ignorance of its victims, they toiled on, 
generation after generation, without hope of redemption, or 
opportunit}'- for improvement, and were then reproached for 
vice and ignorance. 

The God of justice slumbered not, but was silent, permit- 
ting this great crime, till by the fulfilment of Tlis incompre- 
hensible plans, those who had clung to this system of abomi- 
nations, defending it from revelation, and clothing it with the 
sanctity of heaven, struck the blow themselves that unloosed 
the manacles ; drew the sword that cut the gordian knot, that 
had perplexed and bewildered statesmen and philanthropists, 
and gave the key to the solution of the sphinx riddle that had 
baffled the world. Treason against the " old flag," was the 
hammer^ the sworcl^ i\\Q hey ; and in blood and fiery desola- 
tion it did its work. I saw the fruits of this mighty convul- 
sion. Had T doubted the enormity of slavery, or the tenacit}?- 
of its hold on an otherwise noble people, I should have been 
convinced when I saw the effects of the scathing revolution, 
necessary to end its existence and blot out its effects. The 
Eed Sea had been rolled up on either side, crushing, sweep- 
ing, obliterating all traces of life and prosperity, and the en- 
franchised people were preparing to walk over dry-shod. Un- 
til this i-edemption shall be complete, and justice to this long 
down-trodden race thorough, the South will not be regenerated 
nor her prosperity restored ; for the Lord Jehovah, who chang- 
eth not, hath said: " I have made of one blood all the nations 
of the earth;" and again: "Thou shalt love the Lord tliy 
God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself." 



144 THE BOYS IN BLUE. • 

On our arrival at Memphis, we immediately commenced 
our visitations to the hospitals, and found them in good order, 
having been emptied as far as possible by sending the 
patients North, to make room for the anticipated inmates, 
from the coming battles. Alas ! they were soon filled. The 
day subsequent to our visit, several hundred wounded from 
the unavailing assault on Vicksburg, were placed in the 
vacant beds. The Sanitary depot, under the care of Dr. 
Warriner, was in successful operation at Memphis. An accu 
rate daily account was kept with every hospital, and the pre- 
cise amount and number of every article, given to each hos 
pital or regiment, stated. Tliesc accounts, on printed forms, 
were remitted each month to the North-Western Sanitary 
Commission at Chicago; consequently I felt at home in the 
work at Memphis. 



DEPARTURE FROM MEMPHIS. 145 



CHAPTER IX. 

Departure from Memphis. — Arrival at Helena. — Wretchedness of the 
place. — A sketch of first army Sabbath. — Embarkation of 15,000 
troops. — Sketch of a cavalry regiment. — Embarkation of a battery. 
— Interview with G-en. G-orman on fleet. — Decision to accompany 
White Eiver Expedition. — Anxious father on the Ruth. — Contrast 
between recruits and veterans. — Mouth of White River. — Rumor of 
battle at Arkansas Post. — Organization of battle fleet. — Entrance to 
the White River. — Description of its banks. — Council of war. — 
Changing weather. — Organization of hospital on Ruth. — St. Charles. 
— Gen. Fisk's talk with a rebel. — Cavalry regiment sent out as scouts. 
— Suffering of the men on marches. — Arrival at Duvall's Bluff. — 
Hardships of soldiers on transports. — The moraUty of the army. — 
Their endurance. 

On a bright afternoon, with cheers and shouts from the 
men, beating of drums, waving of flags and handkerchiefs, and 
hearty farewells of military and sanitary friends, we puffed 
into the stream, and struck out boldly for Helena. The 
" boys " insisted the word was spelled wrong. It ought to 
have had but one syllable, and that the first. As we steamed 
up to its muddy bank, and saw the ricketty dwellings and 
narrow, filthy streets fringing the levee, filled with our 
soldiers, looking as if they were labelled jaundice, ague or 
scurvy, we did not wonder the soldiers thought the name a 
mistake. 'Twas difficult to discern the color of their uni- 
forms ; they were so bespattered with mud, and moulded with 

10 



146 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

damp, that but little contrast existed between them, and the 
bilious faces of the men who wore them. 

Fortunately, the coming darkness hid the painful sight, and 
the morrow's sun ushered in one of the most glorious Sab- 
baths I ever beheld. 

A painful feature of the army, was the almost entire ab- 
sence of Sabbath observance. The necessary continuance of 
army routine, frequent and rapid changes, involving numer- 
ous orders, and constant vigilance, necessary during the for- 
ward march of an army in an enemy's country, rendered it 
impossible to observe the Sabbath, with any degree of regu- 
larity. If any man could have done it. Gen. Fisk could, and 
would. He failed, but seized every opportunity, as will be seen 
for the moral and religious improvement of his command. 

A sketch of my first Sabbath in the army, passed at 
Helena, will explain this matter more fully. Twenty steam- 
ers lay there, and were at once seized by Gen. Gorman 
as transports of war, for the use of the expedition up the 
White Eiver. Orders were issued to fill them with troops. 
Such orders involve an amount of labor and skill that civil- 
ians cannot easily comprehend or appreciate. Camps must 
be broken up — rations provided, and cooked, if possible — 
horses, mules, guns, and carriages got on board — commissary 
and surgeons' stores gathered and deposited — boats must be 
assigned and put in order — detailed men called in — regiments 
and batteries consolidated or divided, as the case may be. 

This Sabbath-day in Helena was brilliant with sunshine, 
and balmy as Italy in softness. We sat on the upper deck, 
with no protection but light scarfs, on the 11th of January, 
watching the novel and amazing sight of an army of twelve 



EMBARKATION OF TROOPS AT HELENA. 147 

or fifteen thousand soldiers preparing to embark. The bluff 
was covered with Government wagons, ambulances, mules, 
and tents ; the animals, inspired with the prevailing excite- 
ment, neighed and brayed lustily, while their drivers roared 
and halloed, crowding them forward to the landing. Regi- 
mental and line officers, quartermasters, surgeons, chaplains, 
and orderlies were running to and fro, to secure order and 
accuracy. The sable contrabands, leading the officers' horses, 
or carrying their swords and satchels, were thickly scattered 
through the hurrying crowd, and were the most quiet and 
apparently uninterested actors in the scene, having been 
accustomed to travel without notice, and without knowledge 
or hope. 

In the midst of all this bustle, the sound of the drum and 
fife is heard, and dark blue lines emerging from the distance, 
reveal the " heroes of the rank and file." On they come, with 
banners flying, bayonets gleaming, tramp, tramp, tramp, 
through the mud, till they reach the narrow pathway to the 
boat, then file rapidly down, as the " boys" on boa,rd send up 
a hearty cheer of welcome, to their companions in danger 
and suffering, 

ISTow comes a splendidly caparisoned cavalry regiment, 
the horses pawing the ground and snuffing the fresh morning 
air as though they smelt the battle afar off — the riders with 
their gay yellow stripes, soft hats with plumes, broad clank- 
ing swords and cavalry boots, bronze faces and iron sinews, 
looking like mail-clad warriors of old going forth to battle. 
The bugle rings out its martial notes, the color-bearers wave 
their bapners in return to our white handkerchiefs,' and the 
whole regiment is deployed on the edge of the bluff, till at 



148 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

the bugle-call, they plunge down the soft muclclj bank, which 
threatens to engulf both horse and rider, gain the double 
plank, clatter on the lower deck, dismount, stall their horses, 
and are ready for the signal of departure. The lovely, inno- 
cent face of one of these young heroes, made a deep impres- 
sion on us all. He gazed at us so wistfully, and touched his 
hat so courteously, we felt assured he had left a tender 
mother at home, watching and waiting. And now comes a 
battery, with all its complicated machinery of guns, carriages, 
horses and ammunition. After repeated efforts and hercu- 
lean labor, witty speeches and roars of laughter, the feat is 
accomplished, and they are read}^, snugly packed ; the guns 
and carriages covered with blue-coats, as a hive with bees. 

Thus the work goes on ; thus the Sabbath wears away. 
At the table in headquarters sat Gen. Fisk, with papers 
around him, his staff-officers busily employed in writing, or 
carrying orders back and forth — regiment and company 
officers reporting and consulting, and the day was far spent 
before leisure for a hasty" meal could be secured. 

In company with Col. Lewis, of Wisconsin, and Mr. Wil- 
liams, of Chicago, we called on Gen. Gorman, the comman- 
der of the expedition, handed him our letters, and asked 
counsel, whether we should attempt to reach Grant's army 
with our stores, or accompany him. He advised and urged 
that we should remain; said the crisis had passed at Yicks- 
burg — that Drs. Brainard and Johnson had taken the wound- 
ed to Memphis, w^here they would be well cared for. He 
said we were needed in the fleet ; that White River was only 
ten hours distant, and we would probably be in a fight next 
day, but should be protected by the gunboats. We did 



VETERANS AND RECRUITS. 149 

not hesitate, although by this decision, I lost my only oppor- 
tunity of seeing two sons, in Grant's army. We procured 
at headquarters, a partial list of the wounded at Yicksburg, 
and were met on our return to the boat by an anxious 
father, captain of a company on the Ruth. He begged to 
see the list, and told us he had four sons in active service, 
two at Vicksburg, and had left a wife and four children at 
home. I understood the agonizing suspense of that wife and 
mother, for I had heard nothing from my boys, since the bat- 
tle of Vicksburg — their names, however, were not on the 
incomplete list of wounded. 

As the old regiments passed to the boats, we were much 
struck with the contrast between them and the recruits, as 
the veterans saucily called the fresh troops. Those that 
accompanied us from Columbus, were all recruited on the 
last call. Their uniforms were fresh and neat, their step 
sluggish, their air important. But the veterans were bronzed, 
dashing, rollicking fellows, swaggering a little, and with 
their military step and sinewy frames, looked as if they 
courted danger and hardship, and enjoyed the music of artil- 
lery and musketry. These iron men had been decimated 
and winnowed by battles, marches, exposure and hardships, 
till they knew their strength, and stood out as the concen- 
trated endurance and bravery of 1,000 men, while their num- 
ber was often less than half those figures. The new regi- 
ments wt^'e soon similarly sifted. Equally brave hearts, but 
not as strong frames, w^ere gathered to rest in southern 
graves. The deadly minie or bursting shell thinned their 
ranks and made veterans of the saved. Toward sunset, the 
last man stepped on board, the plank was drawn, the boys 



150 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

cheered, the band struck up the " Star Spangled Banner," 
and we were off for the White Eiver. 

This was my first army Sabbath, but not my last. Some 
were more quiet and sacred in pursuit ; some more exciting 
amid the din and roar of battle ; some more sad in the recep- 
tion of the sick and wounded. Never had the holy day, as 
it appeared in the distance of our Northern homes, seemed 
so ravishing in love, peace, and holiness, and never had war, 
and treason, its cause, appeared so terrible. 

The following morning found us anchored at the mouth 
of the White Eiver, in the company of thirty steamers that 
composed the fleet. Large as were their size and number, 
on the broad bosom of the Mississippi they seemed like tugs 
or barks, only dotting the rolling mass of water. Even the 
great flag-ship and naval hospital, that were anchored in the 
centre of the stream, looked no larger than an ordinary -sized 
steamboat on the Ohio. The residents of an adjoining farm 
came on board, and said there had been a battle the day 
previous at Arkansas Post, as the heavy firing had been 
distinctly heard where we lay. The announcement of the 
Federal victory had not yet reached them. 

Arrangements were made at once to organize the fleet in 
line of battle and begin our march. The steamers gradually 
drew nearer, and at 11 o'clock the long signal-whistle of the 
flag-ship sounded. Thirty shrill answers successively shriek- 
ed out, fleecy clouds of steam and smoke arose from every 
vessel, and, behold, the steamers were advancing in line of 
battle ! Our position was immediately in front of the mouth 
of the White Eiver. The entire fleet lay to our right, hug- 
ging the shore. The resistless current of the Mississippi 



OKGANIZATION OF BATTLE FLEET. 151 

swept boldly to the left bank of the White Eiver, conse- 
quently each steamer walked proudly across our broadside 
to tiie opposite shore, and then chassezed back to the centre 
of the stream. The Florence, swarming with blue-coats, 
with flags flying, drums beating, and boys cheering, led the 
gorgeous pageant. Then came the Henry Clay, the Sun- 
shine, the Era, the Anglo-Saxon, the Ida May, and all the 
retinue of transports, till twenty-eight steamers had passed 
us, covered from stem to stern with their precious freight of 
heroes, cheering and huzzaing, flaunting flags and rolling 
drums in keeping with their wild enthusiasm. One by one 
they steamed up the stream, which, by its continual mean- 
derings, multiplied the vision of life and beauty. 

The brilliant sunlight was subdued and poetized by the 
clouds of steam and smoke, the air was delicious, and the 
panorama transporting in loveliness and interest. The 
beautiful Kuth was trembling with eagerness to join the 
"warlike procession. Presently the wheels revolved, the 
smoke and steam rolled upward, "she walked the waters 
like a thing of life," and was followed by the flag-ship Ken- 
ton, that closed the rare pageant. As we carefully rounded 
the bends, we seemed to be within touching distance of 
the steamer that had preceded us. Our boat often came 
in contact with both banks of the river at the same 
time, crushed small trees and underbrush in her circuitous 
motions, and paid the tribute for her daring in the loss of 
her light wood-work and protecting guards. The white 
bark of the cotton-tree, bright green cane-brakes, and pro- 
fusion of mistletoe, favored the illusion that it was not Jan- 
uary but June. Bathed in the voluptuous atmosphere of 



152 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

such a day, surrounded and inspired by the glittering "pano- 
ply of war," and the enthusiasm of fifteen thousand soldiers, 
confident of success and eager for the fray, cautiously gnd 
slowly we curved around the bends of the romantic stream, 
densely and beautifully bordered, until, after nine miles of 
progress, we reached the mouth of the cut-off, the communi- 
cation between the White and Arkansas Rivers. 

Here a council of war was held, to determine the course of 
the fleet. It was decided to proceed forthwith up the White 
E-iver, and take possession of the forts at different points on its 
banks. We pursued our winding way, with weather chang- 
ing as rapidly as our movements. Our June day was fol- 
lowed by a heavy snow-storm, that fell to the depth of ten 
inches ; then burst forth a melting sun, and then a drenching 
rain. 

During all this time, the soldiers were exposed to these 
various changes, with no protection but their overcoats or 
blankets, closely huddled together on the guards or hurricane 
deck, without opportunities for exercise, cooking, or cleanli- 
ness. These hardships began to tell severely on the new 
regiments, and the men poured in for shelter and nursing. 
By the order of Gen. Fisk, the long cabin was cleared for the 
sick, and here for weeks we had the melancholy privilege of 
contributing to the comfort of these patient sufferers. Their 
only bed was the plank floor ; their covering, the soldiers' 
blanket; their pillow the hard knapsack ; but by assiduous 
and skilful attention of surgeons, with abundance of suitable 
sanitary stores with which we were provided, and the facili- 
ties and assistance afforded us by Gen. Fisk and his wife, 
their sufferings were greatly ameliorated, and their ailments 



I 

GEN. FISK'S talk WITH A REBEL PRISONER. 153 

rapidly cured. We were able in a large number of instances 
to return them to their regiments in the course of two or 
three days, thus proving the value of prompt assistance and 
suitable care, for the want of which so many thousands were 
consigned to their graves, or to hospitals for months. 

Before reaching St. Charles, the note of preparation was 
again beard. Every officer, in full uniform, mustered his 
company, rifles were mounted, haversacks and canteens buck- 
led on, and every face earnest in prospect of the encoun- 
ter. But we found St. Charles prepared to surrender. A 
cavalry regiment, however, sprang to the shore the moment 
we touched, and defiled on the ed^e of the high bluff above 
us, to be sent out as scouts. A few corn-cribs were fired by 
the excited boys, the drums beat, guns fired, and the army 
subsided and rested on its easy victory, if not its laurels. 

St. Charles had become a name of fearful import, since the 
■barbarities enacted there at the time of the destruction of the 
steamer Mound City, when its boiler had been exploded by 
rebel shot, and the scalded and floating victims were mur- 
dered in cold blood by the rebel sharpshooters. One of 
Chicago's most honored families had lost a patriot son on 
that occasion, and the sympathizing hearts, of her citizens 
shuddered at the name of St. Charles. The place is small 
and insignificant, situated on the top of a bold bluff that 
rises immediately above the landing. 

The most interesting occurrence that took place here, was 
a conversation between a rebel prisoner of some importance 
and Gen. Fisk. The prisoner remarked, " he reckoned the 
war was nearly over, for both sides were pretty well tired 
out and ready to come to terms." The General quietly re- 



154: THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

plied, " that depends on your willingness to surrender. We 
Yankees have set about this work very slowly. Fighting 
was not our choice, only our necessity ; but we've begun, and 
we shan't stop till we finish. I have a young son. I am going 
to stick to this war as long as I live, and teach my boy to take 
my place when I am gone, and tell him to teach his children 
to do the same, if it be necessary to put down this rebellion. 
That is the time we mean to stop, and not before." The blank 
dismay of the rebel's face may be conceived, but not described. 

Before we reached Duvall's Bluff, the weather had become 
extremely cold, and the snow was almost a foot in depth. 
The cavalry was sent out •to scour the country, and meet us 
on our return down the river. The regiments were prepared 
for an attack. Every officer was with his company, and the 
troops under arms. Our boat led the advance, towing the 
iron-clad, as it could not stem the rapid current and make 
much headway. We moved slowly and cautiously. We 
were all eagerly watching for some indication of what was 
before us. Suddenly four men were seen emerging from a 
covered spot and running rapidly up the bluff. We had 
learned the language of the steam whistle. It signalled stop ! 
danger ahead! The boat lay to — the regiment from our 
boat was ordered forward. The General and staff were 
equipped, their horses caparisoned, and almost dragged up a 
precipitous bluff. The trumpet sounded, the companies fell 
in, and at the words, " forward, march," started to reconnoitre. 

The snow and slush were ten inches deep. They were 
entering an enemy's country without a guide. They left at 
4 o'clock to go two miles, but missed the road, marched five 
miles through a swamp, and reached the Euth at 10 o'clock 



DUVALL's bluff. — TEANSPORT LIFE. 155 

P.M., covered with mud, their boots filled with half-frozen 
water, no place to dry, no shelter to cover them. Gen. Fisk 
had large camp-fires built at once for those who would use 
them ; but the majority were so exhausted and weary, they 
lay down as they were on the guards and hurricane-deck, 
in preference to gathering around camp-fires on wet and 
snowy soil. The next day, as might be supposed, we had a 
large accession to the hospital, filling every available nook, 
and the hands and hearts of surgeons and nurses. 

Duvall's Bluff was evacuated before we reached it, and 
everything removed to Little Eock, except two siege guns 
and eleven men, left to secure their transportation. The 
guns and men were the only fruits of this barren and blood- 
less victory. Farther navigation was found to be impossible 
to some of our boats, and it was decided to return — the object 
of securing the opening of the river having been accom- 
plished, and the forts and defences destroyed. 

This outline of the expedition gives a faint idea of a 
naval campaign, and the discomforts and hardships of .the 
transport-life of the soldiers. I found the veterans dreaded 
the latter, more than the most severe active service, or 
9 exposed encampments. On transports, there was no oppor- 
tunity for shelter, no camp-fires for cooking, no convenien- 
ces for cleanliness, as the crowded state of the men and diffi- 
culties of locomotion, made the chilling waters with which 
they were surrounded, almost inaccessible, while neither 
soap nor towels could be procured for this purpose. When 
the men were wet, they could not be dried ; when chilled, 
they could not exercise ; when hungry, they could not cook 
their food ; and when untidy, could not be cleansed. Still 



156 THE BOTS IN BLUE. 

they maintained unbroken cheerfulness, unless sick, and 
even tlien, bore up with unmurmuring patience. 

Before visiting the army, I had heard a vast deal of the 
immoralities of the soldiers, and had been told I should be 
continually shocked with drunkenness, profanity, obscen- 
ity and gambling. During the progress of the war, I spent 
months with the army on the move or in siege, and was 
astonished at the small amount of intoxication or immorality 
that I witnessed. Our Northern cities are much more dis- 
graced by the vice of drunkenness, than was our army when 
in active service. The profanity was restrained in my 
presence, if it existed to so fearful an extent. In that re- 
spect, I believe the " rank and file " of the army would have 
compared favorably with society at home. I saw more men 
reading, writing, and amusing themselves in innocent games, 
than I did in playing games of chance ; there was no gam- 
bling permitted in the portions of the army I visited. "We 
were constantly passing back and forth in the regiments at 
all 'times, from reveille till taps, and had the opportunity of 
seeing and hearing, at least, what was habitual. How much 
of this morality was owing to the labors of the Commissions, 
for the spiritual benefit of the soldiers, I leave to be inferred. • 
God was wonderfully near to our army, to control, encourage, 
inspire and direct. The brave men were like children in 
simplicity and faith. They opened their hearts to any hu- 
mane. Christian friend that approached them, and received 
knowledge, and truth as the fallow ground takes in gently 
falling showers. As to the respect, almost reverence, with 
which everj^ true woman was received by them, too much can- 
not be said, and all women unite in bearing similar testimony. 



HOSPITAL LIFE ON THE RUTH. 157 



CHAPTER X. 

Transport hospital life on the Euth. — Sanitary stores dealt out. — Death 
and burial of a hospital nurse. — Suddenness of soldiers' deaths. — 
Schoolmaster soldier. — Young brothers of the 33d Missouri. — Sick 
soldier behind a wheel-house. — Confiscation of cattle. — Sketch of 
sickness and death of a Wisconsin soldier. — Camp-cough. — Sight of 
St. Louis ladies on guard. — Isolation of individuals and regiments in 
the army. — Visit from Miss Breckenridge. — Prayer-meetings on 
transports. — Sabbath services on the Ruth. — Col. Pile's remarkable 
sermon. — Trip down the river on a gunboat. — Gen. Fisk's moral in- 
fluence in the army. — Faithfulness of surgeons. — Convalescent soldier 
nurses. 

Our hospital life on the steamer Ruth was of thrilling in- 
terest. A brief sketch of its history will be the type of 
thousands of others. It had not the advantages of a hospital 
transport, as it was extemporized unexpectedly when entirely 
cut off from commissary, quartermasters' or sanitary depots, 
to procure cots or covering. The stores that we had brought 
were for use on boats or hospitals, fitted up and in running 
order. They were found to be invaluable in this case, as, 
strange to say, they were the only hospital supplies on hoard 
the fleet. 

The main cabin of the Ruth was one hundred and fifty 
feet in length and twenty feet in breadth. In the course of a 
few days after leaving Helena, its entire length was covered 
with sick s(^diers, suffering with pneumonia, rheumatism, 
fever and measles. The men were obliged to lie as closely 



158 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

as possible, leaving scarcely room for the sick cup or plate. 
There were no comfortable cots, clean sheets, or soft pillows. 
Providentially, we had some boxes of shirts among our sani- 
tary stores, sufficient to furnish each man who passed through 
the hospital. 

The men were brought to us just as they had come 
from picket, or guard, or the march, often covered with 
mud and soaked with water, uncombed and unwashed. 
By dint of " faculty," we collected vessels sufficient to have 
them thoroughly washed, which was our first prescription ; 
then combed and refreshed with a clean shirt, and dry. 
warm socks. It is impossible to convey any idea of the 
efi'ect of these first luxuries. We found by experience 
that a large portion of the ailments of soldiers arose from 
impaired digestion, the consequence of uncooked or im- 
proper food. A comfortable, home-like meal, after thor- 
ough ablution, had a magical effect, and in many in- 
stances, this simple treatment, twice or thrice repeated, 
effected a cure — always produced great relief. 

We roasted apples by the barrel, stewed dried fruit by 
the half barrel, prepared green tea in large tin-buckets, 
and scrambled eggs, and picked codfish in yard-square 
iron pans. 

These luxuries were dealt out carefully to the patients, 
with the approval and direction of the surgeons, who said 
this treatment did more than medicine for many, and 
greatly assisted all who required medical treatment. Our 
detailed nurses carried the trays of nourishing food, while 
we followed with the tea, white sugar, conden|ed milk, and 
soft crackers. The smile of joy and expressions of grati 



TWO BROTHERS IN THE 33d MISSOURI. 159 

tude induced by these simple comforts, were deeply affect- 
ing. As a thin hand was held out for a cup of tea, a feeble 
voice said, " Lady, that cup of tea you gave me tasted just 
like the old woman's at home. God bless you ! it has set 
me right up." Another said, " That tastes like mother had 
made it ;" and still another sturdy farmer, down with the 
measles, cried out, " You ladies beat all natur' ; where did 
you larn to make tea ? It beats the old woman's, and I'll 
write her word, and she'll be glad to hear it." 

Scrambled eggs were considered a rare dainty. We 
allowed each man two, and it may be readily imagined, it 
did not require many meals to empty a barrel. Although 
the men watched these luxuries with the craving of con- 
valescents, the absence of selfishness was surprising. It 
was not unusual to hear the remark, "Give it to him ; he 
needs it more than I do. He is so old, or so young, 
or kind of delicate, or not used to roughing it." Even 
when the poor mangled bodies were brought on stretchers, 
these brave men would say, " Eaise me up higher in the 
bunk ; I can bear it l^etter than he." Of all the sick 
that passed through our hands, we lost but one, and his 
death was an unexplained mystery. He was one of our 
most faithful nurses, and we had learned to trust him for 
others, but not for himself. He was too unselfish to re- 
member his own wants. There were two brothers, nurses ; 
both so true and faithful, we felt they had left a good 
and noble mother. After serving dinner to the sick, he 
said he " felt strange and sleepy," and lay down with his 
head on a haversack. We heard nothing of it till we were 
making preparations for supper, when we inquired for him. 



160 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

He was then insensible and struggling in convnlsions. One 
surgeon said he had a congestive chill, another, conges- 
tion of the brain, and a third, that he had taken morphine 
in mistake for some other medicine. The matter was never 
decided. He battled the grim monster manfully, and we 
watched him till 12 o'clock, when we retired, as the sur- 
geon said he might live till morning. 

At early dawn we were beside him. Busy preparations 
were being made for an expected engagement, but he lay 
cold and silent, heeding nothing. Beside him was a youth 
of eighteen, pale and spiritless, for, alas ! the crowded state 
of the hospital rendered it impossible to separate the nurse 
from the other patients. As soon as the breakfast was 
ready, we brought it to him, but he refused even the 
scrambled eggs and green tea. He was twitching ner- 
vously. I said, " Would you like to change your place?" 
" Oh, yes," he replied, eagerly, " for he kicked me all 
night long in his struggles, and I could not get away." 

The watcher had not realized the state of the uncom- 
plaining boy. when the nurse was d*)^ing. I asked the men 
on the opposite side of the boat, if they could possibly make 
room for him. With soldierly generosity they contracted yet 
a little more, and left a vacant space for him. With a leap 
he reached it, and fell fainting. His nervous system was 
entirely unstrung. After stimulants, and an hour's rest, he 
ate his breakfast with an appetite, and in three days w^as 
with his regiment. Doubtless he would have soon sunk 
beyond hope, unless removed, soothed, and strengthened. 

The sudden and unexpected death of the soldiers in the 
miasmatic Southern climate, was remarkable and inexplic- 



FUNERAL OF A SOLDIER-NURSE. 161 

able. Tliey drooped gradually ; still kept on duty, and 

almost iininediately after their admission to the hospital, 

sometimes even before, would lie down a day or two and 

be gone. I have seen a man take a cup of tea, put it 

to his lips, throw his head back, and expire, never having 

complained of anything but weakness. Comrades have 

often lain down together, feeling faint and weary, and one 

has awoke to find the other a corpse — the spirit so gently 

released that none had suspected its flight. I have seen 

the half-finished meal pushed back, and the spirit departed, 

before tl^ plate could be removed. Death was so stealthy 

and sudden in his approach, that an icy breath seemed to 

have instantly congealed the life-blood at the fountain, and 

not a pulsation followed. The flame did not flicker, but 

was extinguished, as though a passing gust had quenched 

it, and all was dark and silent. I am inclined to tliink the 

.brave and resolute natures of these men endured withont 

complaint, till the silver cord was almost unreeled, ere 

their weary heads rested on even a knapsack. 

After our sad morning's work we passed to the upper 

deck for air and change. As we looked, a body of soldiers 

moved down the plank, bearing the corpse of our faithful 

soldier-nurse. His blue coat was his shroud, and his blanket 

his winding-sheet. A grave was rapidly scooped out of the 

side of the bluff, and the body deposited and covered. His 

saddened comrades, and bereaved and stricken brother, came 

back hurriedly to take their places in the ranks of battle 

about to move, and risk the same fate. Such is war. Gen. Fisk 

had made all arrangements to have a military funeral, but 

orders to move at once had been received, and forbade delay. 

11 



162 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

When we returned to the cabin, I observed a feeble, de- 
jected-looking man, behind a roll of carpet near my state- 
room, I asked if he was ill. He replied he felt extremely 
weak, had daily fever, and was unable to retain his food. I 
perceived he was an educated man, and asked why he had 
not gone to the hospital. " Dear madam," he said, " don't 
mention it. The sight of so many sick and suffering would 
only aggravate my ailments. Allow me to remain here." 
" Certainly, but will j^ou not give me your history ? " " Most 
cheerfully," he replied. " I am a teacher by profession, and 
had a fine school in Wisconsin when the war commenced. I 
had a wife and two children, and we were living delightfully. 
I tried to believe the country did not need me, and that I 
was not required to leave my family. I managed to satisfy 
my conscience at the first call, but was not so successful 
when the President called for three hundred thousand more. 
I felt then I dare not stay. My wife arrived at the same 
conclusion,. after days and nights of agony. Her father was 
a man of wealth, and was delighted to have her go home 
with the children. She has borne up bravely, but says it is 
hard work ; nothing but the cause and her Heavenly Father 
sustains her. 

" My greatest trial is, that I have been unable to accom- 
plish anything. I have been rusting in camp nine months, 
and now, when I have the opportunity to be of service, I am 
wilted and worthless." I said, cheerfully, "Don't you be- 
lieve if you had a good bath and a comfortable meal, you 
would feel better ? " He rose and said, eagerly, "I believe 
a bath would almost restore me. I abhor myself, and have 
no remedy. I have neither soap, towels, nor sponge, and the 



SCHOOLMASTER SOLDIER. 163 

Cold water will not cleanse me, even when I can reacli it." 
I said, " Here is the key of our state-room. You are wel- 
come to the use of it for an hour, or longer, if necessary. I 
will send you warm water and a clean shirt. You will find all 
the appliances there." He looked his thanks. He accepted 
the offer, and in less than the appointed time emerged, looking 
like a man " clothed and in his right mind." I should not 
have recognized him. " Now permit me," he said, " to show 
you the photographs of my wife and children." The chubby 
arms and plump cheeks of the baby moistened the father's 
eyes, as he held the picture for us to see. He then drew 
from his pocket a neat and well-furnished housewife, remark- 
ing, "My tidy, orderly little wife gave me this, and I have 
accomplished wonders with it till I came to the transport." 
He lay in his hiding-place, with the consent of his captain. 
We fed him from our table, and in three days he returned 
to his regiment ; too soon, we thought, for he was still quite 
feeble. 

A few days after, twenty sick men were brought in and 
laid on the cabin floor. We immediately received them, and 
as we spoke to each, w^e heard a weak voice say, " Ladies, 
am I so changed you don't know me? I'm the soldier 
that lay at your state-room door." He partially covered 
his soiled face with his thin fingers, and said, " I have 
given up all expectation of being able to do anything, and 
can't endure this hopelessness much longer." We at once 
brought the surgeon, and asked what position he could fill 
when better. The kind-hearted man replied, he " needed 
a clerk, and would give him the place." A few days' care 
enabled him to go to work, and we left him, happy that he 



164 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

"was of any service. The last words be said, were — 
" 'Now that I am of value in the army, nothing could 
induce me to go home." He hoped to be able to return 
to the ranks ere long. I know not his subsequent for- 
tune, but can only trust that he is at home with wife and 
children. 

One stormy night, we undertook to oive the men, most 
exposed, on the guards, a cup of tea, and a soft biscuit. 
As we proceeded, we heard a chuckling laugh, and held 
our lantern to discover its cause. "VVe found two young 
soldiers, brothers, from the 33d Missouri Regiment Volun- 
teers, nineteen and twenty-one years of age, lying side by 
side, covered with their double blankets, drawn over their 
heads, talking merrily. I said, " Boys, you are having a 
good time, even in rough weather." They answered, " That 
we are ; we are veterans, and don't mind the weather, if we 
can only get together. We are brothers, and always stand 
by each other. We helped one another through the sea- 
soning," as they called their early hardships, "and now 
we're never sick, and always lively." I said, " Have you a 
mother?" "That we have," said one, " and the best kind 
of a mother. She bade us come, and said she'd pray for us, 
and I know she has." Their merriment for the moment 
was gone, and a subdued tone replaced it. Their cu]:> of 
tea inspired them with glee and gratitude. "Ain't this 
like home?" they said. "It will drive out the cold all 
night. I know I shall dream I'm home after this. Ladies, 
do give us your names, that we may write them to our 
mother, and she'll never forget you." " Tell her," I said, 
" 'tis the good peoj)le at home send this through the Sani- 



BOY-SOLDIER BEHIND THE "WHEEL-HOUSE. 165 

tary Commission, because you brave boys deserve it." 
" "Well, we don't deserve so much kindness." With a 
liearty " good-night," we left the young heroes, feeling their 
mother's God was very near them. As we receded, we 
heard soft whispers, and knew they were talking of that 
mother. 

Under the wheel-house, on the opposite side, we found quite 
a group of soldiers, all covered with blankets and snow. 
After giving each a cup of tea, we saw in the rear a delicate- 
looking 3^outh, who had drawn his blanket aside to see who 
was coming. When we handed him his cup he quickly sat 
up, enveloped in his blue covering. He sipped the tea as 
though he enjoyed each drop ; said he had eaten nothing 
since morning, for he could not swallow raw pork and hard- 
tack, as he had no appetite. After taking a few spoonfuls 
he said: "'Tis just like mother's tea. I wish she knew I 
had it. The mail brought me a letter to-day, in which she 
said : ' Richard, if I could only make you a cup of good tea 
and a slice of toast, I'm sure 'twould do you good.' Now I 
shall write to her I got it away up the White River, in a 
storm, at ten o'clock at night, from kind ladies who came 
from the North to bring it." We tucked up the frail boy, 
and left him on his airy couch, full of gratitude and happi- 
ness. 

Foraging parties supplied us with fresh meat for the hospi- 
tals, and occasionally the regiments got a share, and the boats 
were stopped and camp-fires kindled, to allow them to cook 
it. The capture of these refractory rebel steers was very 
exciting. TLiey manifested great repugnance to our trans- 
ports, and would not volunteer under the "Stripes and Stars," 



166 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

but were conscripted. Some were shot and dragged on the 
boat when past rebellion. The boys, however, greatly pre- 
ferred having the living animals, as they could be kept, and 
prolong the privilege of fresh meat, so necessary for our army 
on transports. 

During the expedition, when the boat was tied up for the 
night, we were summoned by the Colonel of a Wisconsin 
regiment, in great haste, to see a young man very ill on board 
the steamer Empress. As we entered the boat we were met 
by the Colonel, who said : " Ladies, I am in great distress. I 
have in my regiment a young man of rare promise. He is 
the only child of his parents. He had just graduated, and 
was intending to study law with his father, when my regi- 
ment was forming. He at once enlisted. The day our regi- 
ment left Wisconsin his parents were with us. His mother, 
forgetting all except her only child, threw her arms around 
me and sobbed out : ' Oh ! Colonel, for God's sake guard my 
treasure, for it is my all.' Now," he added, "I am afraid he 
will die." We threaded our way through a long cabin of 
sick men, like those we had left, without cots or pillows, and 
without the clean Sanitary shirts with which we had been 
able to clothe our sick. There they lay, in the same muddy 
garments in which they had marched or picketed for many 
weeks. 

The young man whom we came to see, had been moved 
to a state-room. As we entered the room, he drew the soiled 
blanket over his once neat collar and neck-tie, and said, 
"Ladies, don't come in, I'm too filthy to be seen." As I 
looked upon him, I thought I had seldom seen a finer face. 
Square high forehead, clearly cut features, and dark expres- 



DEATH OF SOLDIER ON BOARD THE EMPRESS. 167 

sive eyes, betokened intellect and refinement. We talked 
with him cheerfully ; told him the Colonel had granted him 
a furlough ; that he should be removed to our boat, where 
we would carefully nurse him, till we could place him with 
his mother. He looked so bright and spoke so cheerfully, 
that we cherished hopes of his early recovery. We promised 
to send a stretcher for him in the morning, and after making 
all possible arrangements for his comfort, and giving him a 
cup of tea, we bade him good-night. 

After leaving the room, I thought, what if he should die? 
Who will receive his last words, or know his last thoughts ? 
I returned and said, "We shall send for you in the morning, 
if we live ; but life is so uncertain, especially in the army on 
the move — suppose we never meet again on earth, what 
would you say ? " Looking serenely up, he said, " I under- 
stand you. Should I die, tell my mother, as I have lain here 
these long days, her teachings have come back, and I trust 
have done their work. My Sabbath-school lessons, that she 
struggled to teach me, are now remembered and prized. Tell 
her I hope to meet her in heaven, and that I never regretted 
the step I have taken." I said, "I hope you may be long 
spared to bless your parents and serve your country and 
your Maker. We expect to see you to-morrow." He 
thanked me for returning, and, the surgeon said, talked cheer- 
fully about his prospects for an hour after we left, and seemed 
overjoyed at the hope of seeing his parents and being nursed 
back to health, sufficient to return to his regiment. The un- 
complaining young soldier had suffered with chills and fever 
a week before he allowed it to be known, and took his turn 
in standing guard and picket at that inclement season, on the 



168 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

marshy soil of Arkansas, or the exposed guards of the 
Empress, Next morning we sent a stretcher for "William. 
He had gone home before us, to his Father's bosom, and all 
that was left for us to do, was to write the agonizing news to 
his parents, and the precious, last loords of love and heavenly 
hope. 

Three weeks later, on my route to Yicksburg, I met a 
friend of the family on his way to Helena, with a metallic 
coflEin, to carry the precious casket of their only jewel, and lay 
it to rest under the old trees at the homestead. He heard 
my name and introduced himself. He said the parents had 
well-nigh sunk under the scathing stroke, but were upheld 
by the dying words of their son, breathing faith and hope in 
his last moments, 'Twas God directed me to ask for them. 
May He help them in their loneliness. 

The never-ending camp-cough in the army was one of its 
most distressing features. Everywhere it struck the ear 
painfully, and at night it was torturing, almost preventing us 
from sleeping, till custom rendered it tolerable. Mr. Wil- 
liams had provided himself with several boxes of cough 
lozenges, and moved round night after night among the men, 
administering the pleasant medicine, which afforded tempo- 
rary relief. Many of these poor fellows have since sunk into 
the grave with consumption, of which this camp-cough was 
the precursor. 

After a hard day's work, Mrs. Colt and myself went to the 
guards, to breathe the fresh air. The hosi^ital on our crowded 
boat was rendering the atmosphere very impure, as there 
was but little ventilation possible in the cabin of a steamer 
lined with state-rooms. Our boat was slowly moving, recon- 



ST. LOUIS LADIES ON TRANSPORT. 169 

noitring to find a suitable place to tie up for the night, as 
the tortuous and narrow stream would not permit of night- 
travelling with safety. As we watched the glimpses of the 
setting sun through the forest that bordered the river, a 
small steamer glided past, and to our astonishment we beheld 
a group of ladies on the guards. As we almost collided, we 
recognized some of the St. Louis ladies whom we had met a 
year previous, engaged in army labors in that city. Miss 
Breckenridge, a very dear friend, saluted us, and the others 
waved their handkerchiefs as we passed. Language cannot 
convey an idea of the delight that such a meeting, in that 
distant land, in the midst of a battle-fleet, occasioned. When 
we stopped for the night, Gen. Fisk succeeded in discovering 
the location of the boat on which these ladies were to be 
found. Nothing can better convey the idea of the entire 
isolation of the various parts of the army, than the fact, that 
women engaged in the same work, should have been in the 
same fleet for weeks without suspicion of such contiguity. 

In the earlier part of the war the idea was almost universal, 
that if one could reach Grant or Sherman's army, friends 
could easily be found, and if the location of battle-fields could 
be ascertained, knowledge of dead or wounded friends must 
^soon follow. On the contrary, I have traversed a space of 
many miles through camps, in search of a certain regiment, 
and discovered it was rare to find one that knew the name 
or number of its nearest neighbor. The discipline and work 
of each regiment was so engrossing, and their change of 
location so frequent, there was no time nor inclination for 
acquaintance or gossip. This lack of neighborly acquaint- 
ance accounted for the long protracted, often fruitless search 



170 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

for wounded or dead bodies, dearer than life to the seekers 
for them. Miss Breckenridge came to our boat, and spent a 
day or two with us. She said her companions and herself 
had started for Vicksburg, to take charge of the wounded to 
be sent up from Vicksburg to St. Louis, on a hospital trans- 
port. Like ourselves, they were seized at Helena, and car- 
ried off on the expedition, nolens volens. Mrs. Clapp, presi- 
dent of the Aid Society of St. Louis ; Mrs. Couzins, Mrs. 
Crashaw, Mrs. Clark, and Miss Breckenridge, composed the 
delegation. Their boat was parti}'- filled with commissary 
stores, and contained four companies of a Wisconsin regi- 
ment. Miss B. expressed the same astonishment that we felt, 
on discovering the superior character of so large a number 
of the "rank and file" of the army. She and the ladies 
agreed in the opinion, that they would compare favorably 
with the same number of men to be found anywhere. She 
said, in the four hundred men on their boat, she had not yet 
found one, who was not intelligent and well-behaved. Large 
numbers were agreeable companions, and more uncompro- 
mising and active Christians than she had been in the habit 
of miCeting elsewhere. They held religious meetings almost 
nightly, conducted by the privates themselves. She felt, 
when attendino; them, she had not before seen or understood 
a genuine prayer-meeting. The solemnity, fervor, simplicity, 
and directness of their approaches to a Throne of Grace were 
as novel as edifying. They seemed to speak to Grod almost 
face to face, as Moses did, and eternity seemed to them a 
reality. When they plead for their absent families and their 
struggling country, tears would often impede their utterance, 
and it was not uncommon to have a solemn pause, eloquent 



NIGHT BIVOUAC ON ARKANSAS EIVER. 171 

with the silence of swelling hearts. The ladies sang well, 
and the chorus of so large a number of manly voices in 
unison with them, made music such as angels might pause to 
hear. Their gratitude for the services and the companion- 
ship of the ladies was unbounded. The respect and rever- 
ence with which they were treated, proved that the fault was 
with woman herself, if she had aught of which to complain. 

We gladly accepted the invitation of Miss B to accom- 
pany her, and attend the prayer-meeting that night. Gen. 
Fisk and wife joined us. Although our boats were only a 
few hundred yards apart, we found great difficulty in passing 
from one to the other. The shelving bank and heavy under- 
growth of cotton-wood were great obstacles! The pioneer 
corps of soldiers soon cleared the way, as was their wont. 
The night was clear and starry ; an unusual occurrence at the 
time. The warm sun through the day, had partially dried 
the mud. The soldiers were improving the opportunity by 
building camp-fires, and cooking their rations. These groups 
around the blazing brush, the camp-kettles hung on poles, the 
rude preparations for the evening meal, accompanied by the 
animation that such change and respite gave the soldiers, 
and the dusky flaring light of innumerable pine torches, 
formed a wild and picturesque scene. The river was illu- 
mined with the head-lights of thirty steamers, and with 
hundreds of burners that streamed through the open sky- 
lights — a terrific illumination and procession to the traitor- 
ous States on either side of the river. 

As we drew near to the boat, we heard the sound of sacred 
song, rising above the strokes of the axe, and the merriment 
of the soldiers. " Eock of Ages " never sounded so grandly as 



172 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

it did on that occasion. When we entered the ladies' cabin, 
we found more than a hundred soldiers collected there. One 
of their number was leading the meeting. At the close of 
the hymn, the leader requested Gen. Fisk to take his place, 
which he did, and introduced Chaplain Pjne to the meeting. 
He made a short and interesting address. The General, with 
his manly voice, started the hymn, "Come, thou Fount of 
every Blessing," in which all joined heartily. Gen. Fisk then 
introduced Col. Pile, who acted as colonel and chaplain to 
the 33d Regiment Missouri Volunteers, at the time quartered 
on the steamer Ruth. 

After the battle of Boonville, accompanied by three aides, 
the Colonel went to the battle-field to pick up the wounded. 
After forwarding to the hospital all that he could find, he was 
directed to an adjoining corn-field, where it was said some 
wounded lay. As he progressed, up rose suddenly twenty- 
five graybeards, who had been concealed between the rows 
of corn. With the promptness of genius and bravery he 
cried out, " Forward ! " to what the rebels supposed was his 
company. Quick and sharp followed the order, "Surren- 
der!" Surprised and bewildered, the twenty-five men laid 
do^^wn their arms, and were marched into camp by the three 
blue-coats and Col. Pile, who had fairly earned his title of 
the fighting chaplain. This incident reveals the soldierly 
qualities of Col. Pile. The following sketch of his ad- 
dress at the prayer-meeting, will exhibit his abilities as a 
chaplain. 

He had a fine massive face and powerful physique. He 
stooped slightly and moved heavily. When he spoke he 
stood erect, full six feet in height, his chest expanded, his 



PRAYER-MEETING ON TRANSPORT. 173 

eye kindled, bis determined raoutli relaxed, and in an 
authoritative manner, as if charged with a message from on 
high, he began. It was said no man ventured to disobey 
his orders, or question his authority, and still his regiment 
loved him. The basis of his remarks was the passage, 
"Obedience is better than sacrifice." He handled it in a 
masterly manner. With much power he expounded the 
duty of obedience to rightful authority, proving that rebel- 
lion and disobedience had caused all our present suffering ; 
that the basis of all true law emanated from God, and 
formed the substratum on which all just government was 
founded. He proceeded to show the imperative claims of 
civil and military authority, and the duties of men to both. 
The eloquence of the 'Colonel carried his audience com- 
pletely. The soldiers grasped each other's hands in their 
earnestness and simplicity, and whispered loudly, "That's 
so — we know it." 

Gren. Fisk started the hymn, "Am I a Soldier of the 
Cross?" Again the wave of melody rolled over the audi- 
ence. Some voices were gone — melted into tears. At its 
close Gen. Fisk arose, threw out his colors broadly as a soldier 
of the cross, and proclaimed Christ as the Savior of soldiers ; 
their fortress, shield and buckler in time of danger and temp- 
tation. At the close of a few eloquent remarks, the doxology 
of the army, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," was 
sung. After an hours visit to the ladies and the soldiers we 
returned to our quarters on the Ruth, feeling that God was 
with our army, " as a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by 
night." 

On the 18th of June, one week after the fleet left Helena, 



174 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Gen. Fisk issued an order for Sabbath morning service. 
Orders from headquarters obliged him to postpone the meet- 
ing until half-past seven the same evening. The entire 
expedition had been a series of wonders, a great drama, each 
successive scene of which increased in interest. Its crown- 
ing event took place on the holy Sabbath evening of this 
day. The ladies' cabin, which would seat over a hundred 
persons, was filled with officers and soldiers, who stood in 
lines three deep, around the sides of the cabin, and in dense 
masses, between the ladies' cabin and the men in the hospital. 
There lay one hundred sick men, too feeble to stand, but 
still able to hear and enjoy the services, as the round voices 
of the speakers, and the magnificent chorus of sacred song, 
rolled over the heads of the soldiers, and fell on the ears of 
the patients. As near the centre of the audience as possible, 
stood a table, on which lay a Bible and hymn-book. The 
robes of the priest were blue and gold, the drapery of the 
pulpit stripes and stars, the audience hundreds of men who 
had left home, families and business, taking their lives in 
their hands, to battle for the right. The order and propriety 
of the meeting might be well imitated in civil life. 'No dis- 
play of dress, no careless attitudes, no disrespectful or indif- 
ferent manner, was there ; all were solemn, earnest, rever- 
ential. It seemed a fit audience-chamber for the King of 
kings. Men had come to hear the message of God, not to 
slight or criticise. 

At half-past seven precisely, Gen. Fisk rose and said, 
" Blessed be God, we can worship him everywhere — in the 
sanctuary, at the fire-side, in the battle-fleet, or the sick bed. 
We will open the services by singing — ■ 



COL. pile's sermon on transport. 175 

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, 
Praise Him, all creatures here below, 
Praise Him, above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.' " 

As the hundreds of male voices joined in the chorus, to 
the tune of Old Hundred, the melody became almost over- 
powering. We stood at the extreme part of the ladies' 
cabin, and the scene was wonderfully grand and impressive. 
The united cabins were two hundred and twenty-five 
feet in length, and were filled with eager listeners. I had 
never seen so large a group of ofl&cers at one time. They 
represented Gen. Fisk's entire brigade, and stood mingled 
with the rank and file, in reverent attitude. Our daily com- 
panions and charge, the hospital patients, were hidden by 
the standing crowd, but we imagined, what we afterwards 
found to be true, that they were straining every sense to 
catch the words of the speaker. There were few dry eyes 
on that occasion. The sacred song floated all back home to 
the sanctuar}', or family altar, and united them with their 
absent ones, in prayer, around the great white throne. 

Gen. Fisk, in his trumpet tones, that reached the remotest 
man, read the 12th chapter of Eomans, and then sang, "Ami 
a Soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb ? " Col. Pile was 
the orator of, the day. No man could have so entirely suited 
the occasion, mentally and physically. He was Cromwellian 
in proportion, and in speech. Slowly unbending his broad 
shoulders, and raising his bowed head, he said, " My friends, 
I had intended to have forgotten to-night that we were en- 
gaged in war ; that we were away from home ; that aught 
else existed but God and man, and their relations to each 



176 THE BOYS IN BLUE.- 

other, but I have been requested to take a different course, 
and address you on a subject, peaceable in itself, but involv- 
ing the conduct of war. My text is, 'Inasmuch as in you 
lies, dwell peaceably with all men.' " He explained peace to 
be harmonious relations between respective parties, under 
all circumstances. He contended, it was the only state that 
could insure happiness and usefulness. He began with the 
family circle, and rose gradually through national and civil 
organizations, till he reached the grand climax — the relations 
between man and his Maker. He then proceeded to demon- 
strate from nature and revelation, that the only foundation 
for true peace, was in absolute and unquestioning obedience 
to law. He ranged through the firmament, and with burning 
eloquence, sliowed that every star that twinkled through the 
immensity of space, and the fiery comet in its erratic course, 
were subject to Grod's unalterable law, as well as the spring- 
ing blade of grass, the swelling bud, the changing leaf, the 
russet-clad forest, the snow-capped mountain, the bounding 
rivulet, the deep-rolling river, the fathomless ocean; and thus 
order prevailed. He showed from history, sacred and pro- 
fane, that just in proportion to adherence to this principle, 
w^ere governments happy, useful, prosperous. He drew 
a graphic and soul-stirring picture, that all present could 
appreciate, of the fearful devastations and indescribable suf- 
fering, that departure from this principle had caused, in this 
once fair land. Then with the power of a master,' he ap- 
plied the principle to the army ; showed how vastly more 
efficient, glorious, ennobling, was absolute obedience to rule, 
even if sometimes unwisely administered, than anarchy or 
rebellion. With a single stroke he sketched the terrific 



DOWN WHITE KIVER ON A GUNBOAT. 177 

vision of an ungoverned, insubordinate army, consuming its 
strength in struggles against just rule, instead of subduing 
the enemy. 

From the breathless attention of the audience, and their 
deeply thoughtful faces, we inferred the lessons were deeply 
imprinted in their hearts. At the close of this eloquent dis- 
course, Gen. Fisk led in prayer, that seemed to bear the 
petition of every heart upward. As was always the case, I 
noticed the prayer for absent families produced deep emotion 
on the part of the soldiers. The depth of these brave men's 
tenderness has never been comprehended nor revealed. 
After the benediction, the services closed, as quietly as in 
the sanctuary. We felt that it was good to be there. 

But we must leave this military sanctuary, and prepare to 
record the closing adventure of the White Eiver expedition, 
which was a trip down the White Eiver, on a gunboat, that 
was ordered to Yicksburg with dispatches. Our work had 
drawn to a close in the fleet, as the few sick remaining had 
been taken from the Euth to a hospital transport, so situated, 
that we could not accompany them. I had the opportunity 
afforded me by Gen. Gorman, to go on the gunboat to Vicks- 
burg, and meet my sons. It was quite a new sensation to be 
snugly stowed away in one of the steamers that had so long 
protected us. It belonged to the Mosquito fleet, and might 
readily be mistaken for a small transport ; and being de- 
tached from the fleet, made us liable to attacks from guerillas. 
' The good, brave captain tried my nerves not a little, when 
he said the spot where I sat had frequently been peppered 
by minies, and that the cannonade that I might expect in 

the morning, to empty the guns, would probably shatter 

12 



178 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

glasses and crockery. We escaped both, however, and 
reached the mouth of the river safely, where we were 
detained by orders from the flagship, with no hope of a 
speedy movement. As I pondered on my plans in this 
emergency, the advance boat of the fleet passed us. In 
quick succession the steamers came, but at such a dis- 
tance that we could not hail them. At last the Ruth 
appeared. Desperate at the prospect of being left behind, I 
begged that the gig might be lowered. It was, and fully 
manned. I sprang into it, and the oarsmen pulled as if for 
life. Still the Ruth gained on us rapidly, but stopped a few 
minutes to report at the flag-ship, I rose up, waving my 
handkerchief, which would not have been seen but for a 
happy circumstance*. Gen. Fisk and ladies stood on the hur- 
ricane-deck, the General looking through a fine field-glass. 
He discovered me, stopped the boat after she had put off, a 
plank was thrown out, men holding one end on the deck of 
the vessel, I was hoisted on the other extreme, and while the 
ladies turned away in fear, I safely walked the plank, and 
was again on board the Ruth, never before so bewitching 
to me. 

We found the shortest road to Vicksburg was to return 
North and discover where Gen. Grant's army lay. Strange 
to say, it could not be ascertained below Memphis, as dis- 
patches from Vicksburg were sent to that point. At Helena 
we parted with Gen. Fisk and his amiable wife with sincere 
regret. The important post since occupied by Gen. Fisk, 
and his rapid rise in position and the confidence of the 
country, were all foreshadowed by his ability, faithfulness, 
and Christian courage, in this early campaign of the war. 



FAITHFULNESS OF ARMY SURGEONS. 179 

In the conclusion of the White River expedition we were 
all desirous to bear testimony to the faithfulness and tender- 
ness of the surgeons in charge of the sick on board the Ruth. 
They labored from morning till late at night, scarcely allow- 
ing themselves time for sleep or refreshment. I felt keenly 
mortified, and wished that the donors of sanitary supplies 
could have heard the answer of one of these faithful men, 
when, fainting from overwork, I offered him a cup of tea 
with white sugar. " Thank you, madam, I can't take it — 
'twould choke me, and help to swell the cry throughout the 
land that sanitary supplies are devoured by surgeons and 
nurses." I had nothing to say, but thought could those at 
home have seen the labors of surgeons, and known that 
nurses were either convalescent, often half-sich soldiers^ or deli- 
cate loomen accustomed to home comforts, they would have sent 
extra supplies for them, instead of grudging them a share of 
what had been sent. After months' experience in the army, 
we can cheerfully testify to the devotion and efficiency of a 
large number of army surgeons. They were unfortunately, 
but inevitably, not perfect, but we believe as faithful and 
laborious as any other class of army officers. 



180 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTEE VII. 

Suffering of army at Young's Point. — Arrival at Cairo. — Guerrillas and 
steamboat passengers. — A collection. — The mother of Joseph. — 
Mothers and wives en route for Memphis. — Hospitals at Memphis. 
— Soldier's death at Adams Block Hospital. — Visiting the paitents. 
— Mr. Reynolds in hospital. — Cheers for the Sanitary Commission. — 
"Wisconsin Battery-boy. — Mrs. B.'s attention to a wounded soldier. — 
Gen. John Logan. — Gen. McPherson. — Gen. Webster. 

The winter of 1862 and 1863 was a period of general dis- 
couragement throughout the country. The state of the roads 
in the south-west absolutely precluded the movement of the 
army. The rainy season had been unprecedented in extent 
and duration. The Mississippi had overflowed its banks, till 
hundreds of miles of farms on either side had been submerged. 
As an inevitable result, the low ground on which our army 
was encamped at Young's Point had become a mud-lake. 
The Yazoo Pass, in the immediate neighborhood, afforded 
such clear water for the troops, that they were tempted to 
prefer it to the turbid water of the Mississippi, although its 
baleful effects had stamped its name as " The deadly Yazoo." 
At the encampments, which were at too great a distance to 
procure water from the river, in the impassable state of the 
roads, without great labor, barrels were sunk, which were 
speedily filled with clear surface-water, that carried death in 
its combinations. 

It was exceedingly difi&cult for the Government to pro- 



SUFFERINGS OF AKMY AT YOUNG's POINT. 181 

cure sufficient transportation for men, rations, ammunition, 
animals, and forage, consequently, there was great lack of 
vegetables and fresh meat, which are indispensable to the 
health of troops in a protracted campaign. Fresh meat was 
furnished to the army by contract. The long distance be- 
tween it and its base of supplies, the crowded and filthy state 
of the cars and transports on which the animals were brought, 
half starved and famished for water, produced such an un- 
healthy condition, that many of the regiments refused their 
rations of fresh meat, and preferred the sound salt rations of 
the army. The tents were worn and battered by long use, 
frequent changes, and continual rain, and afforded very in- 
sufficient protection to the men. J was frequently informed, 
and heard no opposing statement, that there was but one 
regiment at Young's Point where the soldiers had more than 
one blanket, which must be used for a covering, leaving no 
protection from the spongy soil on which they lay, except 
as they gathered branches or built " shebangs." The Board 
of Trade of the city of Chicago had furnished the regiments 
and batteries raised under their care with rubber blankets, 
consequently, I found the 113th Illinois Kegiment, 3d Board 
of Trade, well protected from the damp earth. 

From a review of these various unfavorable circumstances, 
it will not be considered surprisiag, that appeals were made 
from the army to the commission, for assistance. The Presi- 
dent and Board of the North- Western Commission not only 
felt that increased and immediate relief should be afforded, 
but also decided, that some representatives from their own 
organization and neighborhood, should visit the army, and 
be able on their return to tell those who supolied its treasury 



182 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and furDished its packages, what the soldiers needed, what 
they suffered, and how they were supplied, from actual ob- 
servation. Mrs. Livermore or myself, were again selected for 
the work. 

The^Board of Trade, with its uniform liberality and con- 
sideration for its regiments, appointed Ira Y. Munn, its for- 
mer President, and Mr. Willard, an esteemed member of its 
body, to visit them, carrying a fine supply of comforts and 
delicacies to the men, and report on their necessities and con- 
dition, on their return. These gentlemen and Mr. W. Rey- 
nolds, of Peoria, President of the Peoria Branch of the U. S. 
Christian Commission, accompanied me. Mr. Reynolds took 
with him a large 'amount of books, newspapers, etc., fur- 
nished at his own expense. I took twelve hundred packages 
of choice sanitary stores, from the ISTorth-West Branch of the 
U. S. Sanitary Commission ; Mr. E,, relieving me of all respon- 
sibility of their transportation, which was a matter of much 
labor and perplexity. 

At Cairo, we found dismal weather and foreboding hearts ; 
and the gloom thickened as we proceeded. Guerillas, even 
between Cairo and Memphis, were daring, crafty and suc- 
cessful. Boats had been captured and burned, passengers 
robbed and turned adrift in the swamps, only too happy to 
escape with their lives. One boat, at a wood-landing between 
Cairo and Memphis, had been entered by guerillas disguised 
as civilians, who had taken possession of her and her stores, 
threatening the employees into compliance, and obliging them 
to carry these marauders, as they directed them. An im- 
mense government steamer, filled with amunition, had barely 
escaped capture or explosion from rebel balls, a few miles 



GUERRILLAS AND STEAMBOAT PASSENGERS. 183 

below Cairo, the day previous to our arrival there. Forrest 
and Chalmers were roaming at large with their reckless dare- 
devils, called Confederate soldiers, whose movements were 
swift and appalling, bafSing all calculation, and eluding 
marvellously all plans for their seizure. Forrest had not 
yet attained Fort Pillow notoriety, but was educating him- 
self and his men rapidly, for that demoniac tragedy. No 
military skill or courage could cope with this barbarous 
mode of warfare. All who travelled on the Mississippi at 
that time, must decide to run these risks. I could con- 
ceive of no motive sufficient for such a journey, but love or 
patriotism. To my amazement, I found the greed of gold, 
and hope of fortunate cotton peculations^ or speculations, carry- 
ing many on this hazardous trip. 

A steamboat, at all times, is a study for Lavater, or a har- 
vest for the wit and pathos of Dickens or Thackeray, from 
which to fill volumes of life-pictures. These fruitful fields 
were intensified in value during the war, just in proportion 
to the accelerated interest of military affairs. Cotton specu- 
lators furnished a large and curious class of passengers. They 
were totally oblivious to all interests, save the price of cotton, 
and the chances for procuring it. Their patriotism and their 
politics were graduated by the opportunities that military or 
governmental action afibrded them for gain. 

I remember, on my return from the White Eiver expedi- 
dition, when travelling from Memphis to Cairo in January, I 
found on the boiler-deck, almost a hundred discharged sol- 
diers from hospitals, exposed to a drifting snow-storm, that 
swept mercilessly through this exposed part of the vessel. 
Farther investigation showed, that through the incompetency 



IS-i THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of officials, these men had been sent forward without rations, 
and could not be paid till they should reach Cairo. They 
must be fed, or suffer greatly, perhaps die, in their weak 
state. On consultation with the St. Louis ladies, who were 
on board, it was resolved to collect a sufficient sum of money 
from the passengers, to pay their board till they should 
reach Cairo. A prompt response was given by all except 
the cotton speculators, who occupied an entire table, and were 
fortifying themselves for the storm with liberal potations of 
champagne and London brown-stout, in addition to an epi- 
curean repast. We chose the hour of dinner for the collec- 
tion, as the passengers were then assembled. In as few words 
as possible, the committee of ladies stated the condition of the 
men, and the necessity for money. A dead silence followed, 
only interrupted by sinister glances. The committee then 
said, " Gentlemen, all we ask of you, is to walk below after 
dinner, and see the one-legged, one-armed, blind heroes who 
have given their blood, limbs and eyes to maintain the Gov- 
ernment, and in so doing, have affi^rded those who stay at 
home, and those who go down to rebeldom, the opportunity of 
making money, and living in ease and luxury." The chuckle 
subsided, the leer disappeared, porte-monnaies came out, and 
the entire sum still unsubscribed to pay the board of the 
soldiers, was made up. The action was commendable, and 
the soldiers reaped the fruits. 

A daily class of passengers on the Mississippi at that 
time could easily be detected by their distrait air, care-worn 
or hopeless faces, and their isolation from the crowd, as they 
sat alone in their sorrow. Their only interest was in those 
who wore the blue coat and brass button of the Union. I 



THE MOTHER OF JOSEPH. 185 

observed in the cabin, soon after I left Cairo, an old woman, 
seventy years of age, with a bronzed face, full of benevolence 
and sorrow. She was one of the class who had come in search 
of the sick and dead bodies of their loved ones. She wore on 
her head a mob cap, with a spotless frill, and a triangular black 
silk handkerchief, tied under her chin. She wiped her eyes 
so often with her red cotton handkerchief, and groaned so 
audibly, that I drew near and asked the cause of her distress. 
She simply rocked to and fro and wailed out helplessly, 
" Oh, mine Josef! mine Josef! he is dead ! he is dead 1 " I 
drew the following story from her lips. 

She was a proud and happy wife and mother when the 
war broke out, surrounded with husband and children, on a 
large stock-farm in Illinois, all prosperous and contented. 
With true German patriotism (for they belonged to that 
nationality), her husband and sons enlisted on the first call, 
and Jeft her with one farm-hand, who had been reared in the 
family, to assist her in its management. Joseph seemed to 
have been his old mother's idol. " He was so beautiful," 
she said, with a strong German accent and great simplicity, 
" and sang so sweet, that all would stop to listen." She had 
had a daughter married shortly before the war, had a grand 
wedding for farmers, "and Joseph looked so handsome and 
sang so fine," that " everybody said they never heard the like." 
He was smart as he was handsome, and, by trading in stock, 
had laid up $1,800, which he left to his mother in case he 
never came back. Then she rocked again, and cried out, 
" Oh, mine Josef I mine Josef! Would to God t had died 
for thee, my son, my son ! " 

She had received a telegram on the day she left home, 



186 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

saying that Joseph was killed in battle, and her hus- 
band and other son were sick in the hospital at Memphis. 
She started on the first train, although she had not been 
twelve miles from home for twenty years, and never on a 
rail-car before. " "Where is your son's body ? " 1 inquired. 
" I don't know." " In what hospital are your husband and 
son?" "I don't know, but I can find them." "How?" 
" Why," said she, " there are plenty of soldiers in Memphis ; 
I am sure they must know my husband or the boys." Poor 
simple-hearted old woman, representative of a large class of 
like wanderers! " I will find the body, and bring it home," 
she said, " if it takes all the money that Josef made ; for the 
night before he went away, we talked 'most all night, and 
he said, ' Mother, if I am killed in battle, be sure and bring 
my body home and bury it under the tree that you and I 
planted when I was a little boy, and when you look at it 
out of your room window, don't grieve, for, remember, I 
give my life to my country now.' Then I cried bitterly, and 
he said, ' Don't take on so, mother, for God may bring me 
back all right, only it is best to look things square in the 
face before you start. And, mother, remember the brown 
mare I raised from a colt must be yours. She's gentle, and 
'most like a child to you. Don't sell her while you live.' " 
Again she rocked and wailed out, " Oh, mine Josef! mine 
Josef! shall I never see him again and talk to him ? "What 
do I want with the money or the mare ? They're nothing to 
me ; but give me back the body of mine Josef" I intro- 
duced the old lady to an officer, about leaving the boat at 
Memphis, who fortunately knew the location of her husband's 
regiment, and in a pouring rain, without umbrella, she 



MOTHERS AND WIVES EN ROUTE FOR MEMPHIS. Ib7 

trudged up the levee at Memphis, in search of her Joseph's 
body, and her sick husband and son. 

During the entire trip, I observed a gentleman, who sat 
apart from the passengers, or paced the cabin nervously. I 
surmised his errand. His son, he said, was killed in the 
same battle in which Joseph fell. He was a college student, 
the joy and pride of his parents. Said he, " I feel intensely 
anxious to succeed in securing his body ; if I do not, I fear 
my wife will become insane, for nothing but that will satisfy 
her. Her cry day and night is, ' Grive me back my dead.' " 

These cases may be multiplied indefinitely, without fear of 
exaggerating the number of sufferers," or amount of sorrow. 
Still another class of passengers deeply interested us — wives 
and mothers hastily summoned to Memphis for a last inter- 
view with their sons and husbands, before leaving Memphis 
for the front, as the army was massing at Young's Point for 
the capture of Yicksburg. It was curious and touching to 
witness the struggle between woman's love and patriotism. 
The countenances of these lovers of their country beamed 
with pride, as they spoke of the bravery of their sons and 
husbands, each bound to become a hero, as they thought. 
Then the sudden silence, the sad look, the abstracted air, 
betokened that the shadow of the fearful alternative of vic- 
tory was flitting before them. 

We were detained several days in Memphis, awaiting the 
arrival of part of our stores, that could not be brought on 
our boat. We had learned by experience to wait for them, 
not be separated from them. This gave us a fine oppor- 
tunity of visiting the entire round of hospitals and camps 
in Memphis. There was a vast difference in the regime of 



188 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

hospitals having equal privileges and facilities. By proper 
management, a faithful and competent surgeon, might, in 
the course of a few months, accumulate a hospital fund, suf- 
ficient to furnish the patients with all necessary comforts and 
delicacies. Each man placed there was entitled to full 
rations, which he could not consume while sick. The post- 
surgeon had the opportunity of commuting these rations, and 
thus creating a fund sufficient for the wants of the sick 
patients, if properly managed. The practical difficulty that 
existed, and made outside assistance necessary, was incom- 
petency, unfaithfulness, and frequent change of hospitals 
and medical men. Post-hospitals could be well supplied 
by commutation, but those in the field, that were the most 
liable to fluctuations, were much more difficult to control 
in this respect. 

At Memphis, where hospitals had been in existence more 
than three months, but little extra assistance should have 
been needed. Alas ! in many instances, large supplies were 
required, or the patients must have suffijred greatly. It was 
just at this point the Sanitary Commission supplemented 
ignorance or carelessness, and secured the helpless patients 
from increased suffering. The contributors of money and 
supplies, with a full understanding of the case, preferred 
that this should be done. In some of the hospitals in Mem- 
phis, the surgeons objected to the employment of female 
nurses or matrons, and, without exception, we found such 
comfortless and untidy. Experience wrought a wonderful 
change in this respect. 

The Adams Block Hospital occupied an entire block of 
new brick stores, at either end of which were the office and 



soldier's death at ADAMS BLOCK HOSPITAL. 189 

Storehouse of the Sanitary Commission. The post-surgeon 
had been quite recently inducted into office, and apologized 
for the disordered state of the hospital, although with its 
corps of female nurses, it bore stronger evidences of comfort 
than others, whose names we omit here, although we took 
pains to report them at the proper place for correction. 

As we were about to mount the first flight of stairs to the 
Adams Block Hospital, we saw two men descending, bear- 
ing a corpse, wrapped in a winding-sheet, to the dead-house. 
Mr. Eeynolds, who had never before visited one of these sad 
places, was greatly shocked, and remarked, " There comes 
somebody's sonP "We ascended with heavy hearts after the 
lifeless body had passed. We entered the first ward, imme- 
diately at the head of the stairs. In one corner, with his face 
literally turned to the wall, stood a man sobbing convulsively. 
Grief was so common a visitant in that place, that he at- 
tracted no attention, but stood isolated in his agony. After 
several efforts to answer our question as to the cause of his 
distress, he sobbed out, "My son's corpse has just been 
carried out. I could bear it, but oh, his poor mother ! 
How can I meet her without our only boy? I fear she 
will die, too, and then I shall be left alone. God help me." 
With broken voice, Mr. E. pointed him to the "Eock" and 
" Eefuge," and we passed on to the crowd of sufferers waiting 
to receive us. We took separate lines, lingering at each cot 
a few minutes, and leaving a paper or hymn-book. 

On one bed lay a languid youth, about twenty years of 
age, who had been wounded at Arkansas Post. I asked him 
if he had a Testament. " Oh, yes," he replied ; " and it 
saved my life." He drew from beneath his pillow the mute 



190 - THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

messenger of life, and invulnerable breast-plate, that had 
stood between him and eternity. It lay in the breast-pocket 
of his coat, and over it, his mother's picture. The piece of 
shell that struck it, dashed the picture to atoms, and pressed 
the book with such intensity, that its back burst open, and 
the indentation gave the precise shape of the missive, as 
though it had been cast in that mould. This messenger of 
death had reverently paused at the little book, and bounded 
off without tearing a leaf or expunging a word, though the 
flesh beneath was severely bruised by the concussion. 
" Will you sell the book ? " I asked. " No, ma'am ; money 
could not buy it. I must keep it for my mother." " Will 
you not heed its invitation, ' Come unto me? ' It has saved 
your life ; shall it not save your soul ? You owe it a double 
debt of gratitude." Two days later, I met him in front of 
the hospital. He stopped, and said, " I have followed your 
advice ; I read this book as I never did before, and believe 
I can now say, it has saved my soul as well as my life." 

We spent the entire day visiting the -patients, questioning 
them as to their food and care, cleanliness and comfort. The 
answers were very satisfactory, except in one ward, where 
there was a general complaint that the ward-master and 
nurses helped themselves to the choicest food, before the pa- 
tients had an opportunity to do so. We managed to be saun- 
tering in the ward at the dinner-hour, saw the evil com- 
plained of, made a statement of the grievance to the surgeon, 
when the ward-master was promptly relieved. The trays 
of food were excellent in quality and quantity, consisting 
of fresh meat, vegetables, stewed fruit and rice-pudding. It 
is scarcely necessary to state that where there was such pro- 



MR. REYNOLDS IN HOSPITAL. 191 

visions, a corps of our detailed nurses were found. Those in 
this hospital had been sent by us from Chicago. 

The wards in this institution communicated. Mr. Eey- 
nolds took his position as nearly as possible in the centre, 
at the head of the second flight of stairs, and with his ringing 
voice, commenced singing : 

" My days are passing swiftly by, 
And I, a pilgwm stranger, 
Would not detain them as they fly, 
Those hours of toil and danger." 

In an instant, as fir as the eye could reach, every head was 
turned towards him. All that could do so, raised themselves 
on their elbows as he sang on, voice after voice joined in, 
and many hands were seen brushing away the blinding tears. 
He then offered a prayer full of tenderness, trustfulness, sub- 
mission and petition for the absent. Smiles and words of 
gratitude richly repaid this day's labor. 

The following morning we visited the Gayoso Block Hos- 
pital, which had been recently organized, in anticipation of 
the bloody struggle at Vicksburg. The North -Western 
Sanitary Commission had fitted it up with a fine range, two 
cooking-stoves, large boilers, washing-machines and wringers, 
sheets, shirts, pillows, pillow-cases, and a large supply of 
delicacies for the expected patients. It .contained nine hun- 
dred beds, six hundred of which were already filled by the 
sick and wounded from the battle of Arkansas Post. This 
hospital was under the care of Mother Bickerdyke. My 
visit was unexpected, and happened at the supper hour. 
As I entered the door, I met Mrs. Bickerdyke in the con- 



192 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

valescent dining-hall, where the food was nutritious and 
tempting. As she was on her way to the hospital wards, I 
accompanied her. 

There lay hundreds of wounded men from the last battle, 
each one thoroughly clean, and eating such food as would be 
given them at home. The air was perfectly pure, and the 
snowy sheets, shirts, and soft pillows, were refreshing to us 
as well as the patients. Mrs. B., mother that she was, knew 
the name of every man, and spoke to one and another as we 
passed through the double line of cots. When we reached 
the centre of the room, she said : " Boys, this is Mrs. H., 
of Chicago, from the North-Western Sanitary Commission. 
Turn down your sheets, look at your shirts and pillows ; 
they are qjl marked with the name of the Sanitary Commis- 
sion. Your good suppers that you are eating to-night came 
from the same place." As from one voice arose the cry, 
" Three cheers for the Sanitary Commission ! God bless the 
women at home ! " As we passed from cot to cot, Mrs. B. 
said: " William, how do your eggs suit you ? " " Just right. 
Mother."' " Well, John, how goes the milk-toast? " " Bully, 
Mother; tastes just like the old cow's milk at home." Said 
a gray-headed man, with a shattered arm : " Mother, I don't 
believe my wife could beat that cup of green tea, with white 
sugar, you sent me to-night ; it has a'most cured me ; I feel 
as chirk as a robin." 

At one cot knelt a bright, bronzed-faced woman, feeding 
a man cautiously with a spoon. His jaw had been shattered, 
the splintered fragments removed, and he lay a woful spec- 
tacle, not able to speak intelligibly. " How do you feel to- 
night?" said Mother B. "J.ZZ right noiv, since she's come,^^ 



WISCONSIN BATTERY BOY. 193 

said he, laying bis hand fondly on her head. The constant 
woman's face beamed with joy, as she added, " I believe I 
can take him home next week." 

As I was about to leave, I stood in the midst of them, and 
said, "Boys, you look so bright and seem so happy, I think 
you must be shamming ; you are all heroes ; but are you 
badly wounded ? " " Why shouldn't we be happy," cried out 
a manly voice. " We left all to fight for the 'old flag,' and 
put it where it belongs. We left it flying at Arkansas Post, 
if we did get hit." Another said, cheerfully, " Madam, 
what do you call this?" as he drew aside the sheet, and 
pointed to the maimed limb, that vigorous young manhood 
is so loath to have crippled. Another laid his hand on his 
shoulder, that indicated that a strong; rig-ht arm had once 

7 O O 

been there, and another to a bandaged head, from which a 

piece of shell had been extracted. A Wisconsin battery 

boy beside me said feebly, " What do you say of me ? One 

of my arms was taken off" nine months ago, and the doctor 

says the other must come off to-morrow. I've been in nine 

battles, and have been wounded in every one, but the Post 

finished me up. What am I to do in the world, not twenty 

years old without arms ? " " My brave fellow, the women 

will take care of you. God never spared your life but for 

some great purpose. I believe you will live to biess and 

be blessed." As the boys cheered, he said ferventlj^, "Thank 

you for that." I would ask solemnly has the pledge been 

redeemed, and have these maimed heroes heen cared for as we 

pro'mised they should he ? 

While passing through the upper wards of this hospital, 

I heard a gurgling, convulsive sob. I turned to ascertain its 

13 



194 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

cause, and beheld a stretcher borne in by two soldiers, who 
lowered it gently beside us. " Boys," Mother B. said quickly, 
" get a fan and some eggnog, instantly." She drew from her 
pocket a small flask of brandj^, and dropped some upon the 
white lips and palsied tongue of the sufferer. His eyes were 
upturned, and he appeared to be in the agony of death. 
" What does this mean ? " I said, in horror, Mrs. B. replied, 
"He has just been brought from the amputating-room, and 
has lost his leg." In a twinkling the boys were back. One 
fanned him, as Mrs. B. knelt beside him, and said, "Take 
this for Mother." He shook his head, "No ! " " But you 
must," she said, decidedly; "you are going to get well right 
off, if you do ; you are worth half a dozen dead men now." 
With a frightful effort he swallowed a teaspoonful, and, in a 
few minutes, another and another, till, gradually, the tumbler- 
ful was taken ; then he fell asleep, quietly as an infant. Said 
she, " He must have another before bed-time, and he'll be 
hungry to-morrow." "Can he recover?" I asked. "Wh}', 
certainly he may. We lose comparatively few amputation 
cases, for we keep the wounds and beds clean, the air fresh, 
give plenty of wholesome plain food, which wounded men 
esjyecially needy 

In Februarj^, 1866, Mrs. B, called to see me, and I said 
to her, "I have been visiting your hospital at Memphis, in 
imagination to-day, and could but wonder what was the fate 
of the man canned on a stretclier, with his leg amputated, 
the last day I was there." , She clapped her hands as she 
said, "He is here in the city of Chicago; I have just come 
from his house, where I went to carry him some shirts and 
drawers. He has a wooden leg, and is working at his trade 



GEN. JOHN LOGAN. 195 

of shoemaking, and would be strong if not obliged to work 
beyond his strength ;" strange coincidence, and sad fact, that 
has many parallels. 

I will not weary, with a further description of the numer- 
ous hospitals we visited in Memphis. After accomplishing 
my work in them, I accepted an invitation to visit the camp 
of Gen. Logan's division, and spent the night at his head- 
quarters. The house was an elegant confiscated mansion, 
situated in the suburbs of Memphis, which I found to be 
exceedingly beautiful. The rolling country, stately forest- 
trees, luxuriant evergreens, extensive encampments, and fine 
houses, formed a beautiful panorama, on a bright day in 
February. 

I remained twenty-four hours at this encampment, and 
found as jolly a collection of blue-coats, as I have ever met 
in the array. The camp was on dry ground, the men 
healthy, and the hospitals well supplied with sanitary stores 
from the North- Western Commission. The patriotic wife of 
the General, who had nursed his first regiment till complete- 
ly crushed by her efforts, was with her husband. The Gen- 
eral was suffering from a severe attack of rheumatism, but 
still was not idle. Fearing that his division mi^ht become 
discouraged by long inactivity and his absence from them, 
he had written a soul-stirring address, which he read to the 
family circle. On the following day it was repeated to the 
soldiers, and produced great enthusiasm, second only to the 
sight and voice of their beloved commander. No wonder 
the name of Logan became the battle-cry of his men. 

On my return to the Gayoso House I had the opportunity 
of becoming acquainted with the lamented Gen. J. McPher- 



19G THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

son. His elegant appearance, polished manners, and gallant 
air, accounted for his sobriquet, the "gentlemanly soldier," 
and might mislead one as to his soldierly abilities. He proved 
that high breeding, bland courtesy, and broad humanity, were 
harmonious with the highest status of military ability and 
bravery. "While the humblest soldier and the most timid 
woman found in him a friend, and the brilliant belle a charm- 
ing companion, the haughtiest rebel feared him, . and the 
wisest generals counselled with him, for he was charming, 
true, brave, courteous, wise, enduring. Peace be to the 
ashes of the young hero ! whose sun set before noon, but not 
until its beams had shone over the nation, and left a radiance 
that has lighted many a patriot to his grave, in the footsteps 
of the youthful and gallant Gen. McPherson. 

Gen. Webster, of whom Chicago was so justly proud, was 
occupying an important post at Memphis, and, by his assist- 
ance and counsel, rendered us great service. He was the 
first to greet, and the last to say farewell. The country 
owed much to his untiring vigilance, as well as skill and 
bravery, at that time. The continual and persistent efforts 
of rebel men and women to supply Secessia with arms, am- 
munition, and quinine, would have been vastly more success- 
ful, but for his integrity, prompt action, and ingenious devices 
to discover and thwart them. 

Our rides in and around Memphis were all taken in ambu- 
lances, which required a stout pair of mules, and two expert 
drivers, to pass through the so-called " slews ;" sometimes, to 
alight and lift the wheels from the mud, which was done 
cheerfully and manfully. A ride of two miles exhausted 
the strength of a vigorous person, and required an hour's 



GEN. M'PHERSON — GEN. WEBSTER. 197 

time, and sundry bruises and bespatterings, to accomplish. 
We could but think of our poor wounded soldiers, when 
every movement was torture, sometimes riding thus ten, 
twenty, forty, or one hundred miles, as they did at Eolla, 
over worse roads, and without comfort or suitable medical 
treatment. Alas! alas I how little we realize the cost of 
peace and victory, and how soon we forget what we have 
known. 



198 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XIL, 

Departure from Mempliis. — Journey down the Mississippi. — Fearful 
reports of guerillas at Helena. — Disguise of steamer as gunboat. — 
Arrival at Young's Point. — Silver Wave sanitary-boat. — Interviews 
with Gen. Grant on Magnolia. — Donation of five bales of cotton for 
soldiers' comforts. — Mode of work on sanitary-boat. — Humorous 
incidents. — Story of Arthur C , the drummer-boy. — Contribu- 
tions by Mrs. Livermore. 

One fitful clay in February, wlien descending floods and 
brilliant sunbeams rapidly alternated, the welcome sound 
was beard, " The stores have come." " All on board ! " 
quickly followed, as it was dangerous to lose a good oppor- 
tunity to go below, the boats being generally filthy and 
uncomfortable, and crowded with troops, to the exclusion of 
civilians. We had the rare privilege of passage on a 
dispatch boat, which must proceed, unless sunk or riddled by 
guerillas, as she was independent of wayside orders, having 
dispatches for headquarters. 

An " order " that no civilian should go below Memphis, 
had just been issued by Gen. Grant. Agents, or representa- 
tives of the Sanitary Commission, were, however, considered 
as part of the hospital arrangements of the array, and were 
freely permitted to visit it with stores. The orders were 



ATTACKS OF GUERILLAS. 199 

indorsed, "AVith all dispatch," Of course, steam must be 
crowded and a quick passage, either to Young's Point or the 
bottom of the JMississippi, secured. Alarming accounts of 
guerillas had been daily reaching us at Memphis. Our 
greatest safety was in the unusual width of the river. Still 
there were certain points from which a battery could play 
upon the boat to great advantage. The sense of isolation 
and separation from home, friends, civilization and safety 
were new and painfully oppressive, as I took leave of Gen. 
"Webster and Dr. AVarriner at the Memphis landing, and the 
boat turned her head down stream. It filled one's concep- 
tion of a soldier's feelings on the eve of his first battle. 
"With the full head of steam and the rapid current, we 
rushed down the river, with almost railroad velocity. 

Some soldiers were on board, but no passengers beyond 
ourselves, except the wife of a sick officer, who was spirited 
through in some unaccountable waj', as women sometimes 
are. "\Ye reached Helena, at 9 o'clock p.m., and touched 
there to leave dispatches. I hurried forward, hoping to see 
a familiar face, as some officers sprang on board, but was 
disappointed. As I stood beside the captain, I heard a 
remonstrance from an officer. "It is entirely unsafe for 
you to go without protection. A boat has just arrived, 
completely riddled, and almost captured — some killed, and 
several wounded." " Can we have a gunboat ? " asked the 
captain. " No," was the reply ; " they are all patrolling the 
river, or convoying boats that have preceded you." '' Ciin't 
be helped," said the captain, decidedly. "The dispatches 
must be there to-morrow night, and I'm off for Youn<>'s 
Point or the bottom of the river," There was nothino; to 



200 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

be said. I walked slowly back to the ladies' cabin. In 
a few minutes the wheels revolved, the steam puffed, but 
the whistle did not shriek.. We were off in silence and 
darkness. 

The rain fell in torrents, and heavy squalls of wind struck 
the boat, till it reeled, as if under artillery-fire. We were 
sitting quietly and solemnly, as the captain entered and said, 
" There is great fear that batteries from the river-bank will 
open on us to-night. I want you to put out all the 
lights except one, and let that be dim. I shall disguise 
the steamer as a gunboat, as far as possible, by covering 
it with tarpaulins. I shall crowd the steam, and go like a 
streak down the river. All this must be done at once, for 
it they are on the watch for lights, but a few miles dis- 
tant." We obeyed orders promptly, and gathered round 
the open stove, whose weird, flickering light, increased the 
ghostliness of the scene. The windows of heaven seemed 
opened. Water above us, around us and beneath us, and 
the canopy shrouded with the blackness of darkness. 

As the boat trembled with the power of the steam and the 
rapid strokes of the engine, the howling wind and falling 
sheets of water rolling over her hurricane- deck, completed the 
illusion and impression more than once, that we had reached 
the fatal spot, and were under the enemy's fire. The em- 
ployes of the boat gathered in the centre of the gentlemen's 
cabin, and cowered beneath the wheel-house, which was con- 
sidered the safest spot. Like ourselves, they spoke with 
suppressed voices, as though fearful of arousing guerillas. 
Gloom and apprehension pervaded every heart, and no one 
retired till almost morning, when the danger was passed. 



ARRIVAL AT YOUNG's POINT, 201 

The high pressure of the engine was a continuous source of 
alarm. The railroad speed at which we were travelling, in 
a river where snags abound, and loose logs floated, with such 
a head of steam, on the boiler of a transport not recently 
examined, was sufficiently risky to cause uneasiness, as no 
hope of rescue could be indulged, in case of accident. 

The next evening we reached Young's Point in safety. 
The captain delivered his dispatches, and we were moored 
beside the Silver Wave, to unload our sanitary stores, and be 
entertained on this boat, assigned by Gen. Grant, as a depot 
for the stores of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. On this 
leaking and bare transport of war I slept in peace that 
night, as on a couch of down, only wondering that I could 
have ever rested before, without profound gratitude for 
exemption from guerillas and snags. The next morning 
brought my long-sought sons, well and prosperous. In the 
midst of so much death and suffering, my cup of mercy was 
full. At once I began my work. 

My first step after reaching Young's Point, was to report 
at the sanitary-boat, Silver Wave. I then reported to Gen. 
Grant, at his headquarters on board the Magnolia, where 
the arrangements were such as might be expected; quiet, 
unostentatious, complete. Business was moving forward 
so silently and systematically, all seemed to have leisure to 
be courteous — the " ultima thule " of good management. My 
letters were presented by an orderly, and I was immediately 
ushered into the General's presence. I could scarcely con- 
ceal my astonishment at the quiet and unassuming appear- 
ance and manner of one to whom all eyes were directed as 
the " coming man," to demolish the Gibraltar of treason in 



202 THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

the West. He conversed freely on the sanitary condi- 
tion of the army, expressed entire confidence in its ad- 
ministration, an earnest desire to have tlie wants of 
the sick and wounded fully met. and offered every facility 
to enable me to carry out my plans. In reply to a request 
for cotton to make soldiers' comforts, he at once gave an 
order for fi^ve bales, which safely reached Chicago, and were 
disposed of for the benefit of the soldiers. A subsequent gift 
of cotton was wrought into hundreds of comforts by the 
patriotic women of Chicago, who worked incessantly till 
they were completed and sent to the hospitals at Chatta- 
nooga, where the men were suffering so greatly on account 
of the unprecedented cold in the South. , 

A tug was placed at my disposal by the military authori- 
ties, to visit camps and hosjDitals. This accommodation en- 
abled me to do an amount of investigation, that would have 
been otherwise impossible. In the course of a few daj^s, I 
called again to report the result of my investigations. I 
then stated tio Gen, Grant, what I had learned from visits to 
the hospitals at Young's Point, conversations wath the sur- 
geons, and an examination of the reports, many of which 
were, from courtesy, submitted to me. This investigation had 
revealed the fact, not yet made public, that incipient scurvy 
existed among the troops to an alarming extent, and could 
only be arrested by liberal supplies of vegetables and acids, 
the antidotes of this fearful army scourge, that sapped the 
vitality of the soldiers so insidiously and effectually, that they 
not unfrequently succumbed to its power, before being aware 
of its existence. Its depressing influence on the bodily func- 
tions and vital energies of the men so complicated other ail- 



INTERVIEW WITH GEN. GRANT. 203 

ments, that but few with the taint of scurvy, recovered 
from wounds. 

Gen. Grant promptly granted my request for an order for 
transportation for any amount of vegetables that could be 
procured at the North, and fully agreed in the opinion that, 
under the circumstances, onions and potatoes were indispen- 
sable to the takino- of Vicksburo;. Before leavino; I said, 
"General, what of Yicksburg? What shall I say when I 
return?" After a pause, he said: "Madam, Vicksburg is 
oiirs^ and {is garrison our prisoners. It is only a question of 
time. I ivant to take it vnih as little loss of life as possible. '''' 
Amen, rose to my lips, and was afterwards echoed by thou- 
sands of wives and mothers, to whom I told the story. The 
genius of the great commander shone out in this interview. 
No FAIL was breathed in every syllabic, and inspired me 
with faith that never faltered. Vicksburg was taken with 
as little loss of life as possible, and its hero became the 
nation's idol. 

The purveyorship of the army at Young's Point, owing to 
various causes, was very imperfectly supplied at this time. 
The cases which we had taken, breathed on our suffering 
army the benedictions with which they had been laden, and 
answered the prayers that had been woven in every gift. 
A letter written by Mrs. Livermore from the rooms of the 
Commission, as successive boxes were opened, describes their 
contents so vividly, that, with her permission, I insert from 
it copious extracts, which shall be followed with a sketch 
of the distribution of these gifts to the heroes languishing in 
camp and hospital at Young's Point: 



204 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

" A capacious box, filled with beautifully-made shirts, draw- 
ers, towels, socks, handkerchiefs, and dried fruits, was opened, 
and on the top lay the following unsealed, touching note : 

" ' Dear Soldiers — The little girls of send this box 

to you. They have heard that a good many of you are sick 
and wounded in battle. They are very sorry, and want to 
do something for you. They cannot do much, for they are 
all little, but they have bought and made what is in here. 
They hope it will do some good, and that you will all get 
well and come home. We all pray to God for you.' 

" Carefully the box was unpacked, stamped as a preventive 
to theft, and then carefully repacked, just as it was received. 
The sacred offerings of children were sent intact to hospitals. 

"Another mammoth packing-case was opened, and here 
were folded in, blessings and prayers and messages of love 
wdth almost every garment. On a pillow was pinned the 
following note, unsealed, for sealed notes are never broken : 

" ' My Dear Friend — You are not my husband or son, 
but you are. the husband or son of some woman who loves 
you, as I love mine. I have made these garments for you, 
with a heart that aches for your sufferings, and with a long- 
ing to come to you to assist in taking care of you. It is a 
great comfort to me that God loves and pities you, pining 
and lonely in a far-off hospital, and if you are a Christian it 
will also be a comfort to you. Are you near death, and soon 
to cross the dark river ? Oh ! then, may God soothe your 
last hours, and lead you up the "shining shore," where there 
•is no war, no sickness, no death. Call on Ilim, for lie is an 
ever-present helper.' 

"Large packages of socks, carefully folded in pairs, con- 



LETTERS TO SOLDIERS. 205 

tained each a note, beautifully written, and signed with the 
name and address of the writer. They were various, of 
course, as their authors. Here is one : 

" ' Dear Soldiers — If these socks had language, they 
would tell you that many a kind wish has been knitted into 
them, and many a tear of pity has bedewed them. "We all 
think of you, and want to do everything we can for you ; 
we feel that we owe you love and gratitude, and that you 
deserve the best at our hands.' 

" Here is another of a different character : 
" ' My Dear Boy — I have knit these socks expressly for 
3^ou. I am nineteen years old, medium size, light hair and 
blue eyes. Now, how do you look, and how do you like my 
socks. Write and tell me, and direct to ' 

" ' P.S. — If the recipient of these socks has a wife, will 
he please exchange with some poor fellow not so fo'rtunate.' 

" And here is another : 

" ' My Brave Friend — I have learned to knit, on pur- 
pose to knit socks for the soldiers. This is my fourth pair. 

My name is , and I live at . Write me, and tell 

me how you like them, and what we can do for you. Keep 
up good courage, and by-and-by you will come home to us. 
Won't that be a grand time, though ? And won't we all 
turn out to meet you with flowers, and music, and cheers, 
and embraces ? There's a good time coming, boys ! ' 

"A nicely made dressing-gown, of dimensions sufficiently 
capacious for Daniel Lambert, had one pocket filled with 
hickory-nuts, and another with ginger-snaps. The pockets 
were sewed across, to keep the contents from dropping out, 
and the following note was on the outside : 



206 THE BOYS IN" BLUE. 

"'Now, my dear fellows, just take your ease. Don't 
mope and have the blues, if you are sick. Moping never 
cured anybody yet. Eat your nuts, and cakes, and snap 
your fingers at dull care. I wish I could do more for you, 
and if I were a man, I would come and fight with you, wo- 
man though I am. I would like to hang Jeff Davis higher 
than Ilaman, and all those who aid and abet him, too, 
whether North or South.' 

" There was exhumed from one box a bushel of cookies, tied 
in a pillow-case, with the benevolent wish tacked on the outside : 

" 'These cookies are expressly for the sick soldiers, and 
if anybody else eats them, Ihojje they luill choke Iiim /' 

" A very neatly arranged package of second-hand cloth- 
ing, but little worn, was laid by itself. Every article was 
superior in quality and manufacture. The distingue package 
had a card attached, with the following explanation in a 
most delicate chirography : 

" ' The accompanying articles were worn for the last time 
by one very dear to me, who lost his life at Shiloh. They 
are sent to our wounded soldiers, as the most fitting disposi- 
tion that can be made of them, by one who has laid the hus- 
band of her youth — her all — on the altar of lier country.' 

" Earely is a box opened that does not contain notes to 
soldiers accompanying the goods, which are very frequently 
answered. In the pocket of a dressing-gown, a baby's tin 
rattle is found — in another, a comic almanac — in yet another, 
a small package of note-paper, envelopes, and j)ostage-stamps. 
The adjurations are incessant to officers, surgeons, and nurses, 
to bestow on the sick and wounded exclusively, the comforts 
and delicacies contained in the cases. 



PEEP INTO SANITARY BOXES. 20T 

'' ' For the love of God, give these articles to the sick 
and wounded, to whom they are sent.' ' He that would 
steal from a sick or wounded man, would rob hen-roosts, and 
filch the pennies from the eyes of a corpse.' ' Surgeons and 
nurses, hands off! These things are not for you, but for the 
patients, -our sick and wounded boys.' 'Don't gobble these 
things up, nurses ; they are for our hospital boys.' 

"These and similar injunctions are found over and 
over again, with unnecessary frequency and emphasis, as 
there is more honesty in the hospitals, and much less 
stealing, than is popularly believed. Occasionally, the open- 
ing of a box reveals an unwise selection of donations, or a 
careless preparation of them. A very promising case was 
opened a short time since, smooth, and polished without, 
and neatly jointed, when an odor smote the olfiictories that 
drove every one from the room. Windows and doors were 
flung wide to let in fresh air, and a second attempt was made 
to examine the odoriferous box. The intolerable stench pro- 
ceeded from ' concentrated chicken,' which had been badly 
prepared. The box had been some time on the journey, 
and the ntcely cooked chicken had become a mass of cor- 
ruption. ' By jabers ! ' said Irish Jimmy, the drayman, as 
he wheeled the box out into the receiving-room, "I hope 
the leddies, God bless 'em, won't send any more consecrated 
chickeii this way, for it smells too loud, intirely !' 

*' Many of the boxes for the wounded at Murfreesboro and 
Vicksburg, contain indicatiovis of the deepest feeling. ' For 
the noble boys that beat back Bragg's army. We are proud 
of them.' ' Three cheers for Rosecrans' army ! ' ' Dear 
wounded soldiers, we shall never forget your gallant conduct 



208 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

at Murfreesboro ! May God place bis everlasting arms 
underneath you, my dear wounded brothers!' These and 
like expressions are affixed to various articles of wear." 

This contribution is exceedingly valuable, as a revelation 
of the electric current, that flowed from the women at home 
to the army at the front. Its inspiration nerved brave arms 
for deeds of daring, and stimulated sinking hearts to renewed 
courage and hope. 

The clerk's office on the Silver Wave had been fitted up 
as a sanitary storeroom, with rude shelves and counters ex- 
temporized on the most economical scale. Heavy packages 
were stowed in the hold of the transport, and the storeroom 
became the place of display and distribution of the sacred 
sanitary donations. Birds of the air carried the glad tidings 
to the sufferers, that fresh supplies had come. In groups and 
single file came the veterans to receive them, all emaciated, 
wan, and feeble — some with canes or crutches, the weaker 
pitifully clinging to his comrade, a trifle stronger, for the 
soldiers shared strength as well as food, with their companions 
in arms and suffering. I rejoice to say not one was sent 
empty away ; to the honor of those men be it' recorded, 
that not one applied, whose appearance was not a certifi- 
cate for his necessity. I said to the first applicant, " Will 
you have a few soft crackers ? " His only answer was an 
outstretched hand and tearful eye. " Shall I give you some 
onions?" "Oh, how I've longed for ten cents, to buy one 
from the sutler ! I craved it" (as scurvy men always do). 
To another, I said, " Perhaps you would like a lemon ? " 
" A lemon ! bless me ! Just let me look at and smell one. 
It makes me stronger to think of it." What of some cookies 



SOLDIER TO TRADE COFFEE. 209 

or gingerbread ! These home-made luxuries were always 
received with glistening eyes, and were invariably just 
like wife's or mother's. 

One poor fellow, who was obliged to seize both railings to 
support himself up the narrow stair-way, opened his battered 
haversack and drew out a small package of coffee. " I know 
you don't sell anything here, but I thought if I could change 
this coffee, that I've saved from my rations, for some green 
tea, I'd get an appetite. If I could only get a cup of tea 
like mother made, I believe I should get well.'' I motioned 
back the parcel, and gave him a little package, containing 
white sugar and a lemon, green tea, two herrings, two onions, 
and pepper — a powerful remedy for scurvy. He looked at it 
a moment and said : " Is this all for me ? " and then covered 
his pinched face with his thin, transparent hands, to conceal 
the tears. 

I touched his shoulder, and said: "Why do you weep?" 
"God bless the women; what should we do but for them?" 
was his answer. " I came from father's farm, where all had 
plenty. I've lain sick these three months. I've seen no 
woman's face, nor heard her voice, nor felt her warm hand, 
till to-day, and it unmans me. But don't think I rue my 
bargain, for I don't. I've suffered much and long, but I 
don't let them know at home. Maybe I'll never have a 
chance to tell them how much, but I'd go through it all for 
the old flag." " Who knows," I said, " but the very luxu- 
ries I've given you have been sent from the aid society to 
which your mother belongs." " I shouldn't wonder," he 
replied, "for she writes me she never lets anything keep her 

away from the meetings. I'm glad of it, for I don't know 

14 



210 THE BOYS IN" BLUE, 

what would become of us poor fellows but for the Sanitary 
Commission." He gave his good-by, God bless you, and 
said : '• I believe I've turned the corner. I haven't felt as 
strong for months as I do now." With the help of one rail- 
ing he descended the stairs, and called out from below, 
" Farewell ! " 

It may be asked, did the men receive all they needed ? 
I answer no; it was not there to give them. The pretended 
or misguided friends of the soldier, lessened supplies by in- 
fusing suspicion. I have seen the work of the U. S. Com- 
mission in scores of western hospitals and in the field. I 
have accompanied it in its labor of love, as it has followed 
the destroying angel, binding up mangled . limbs, clothing 
emaciated forms, pillowing aching heads, giving nourishment 
to exhausted bodies, and snatching from death husbands 
sons and brothers. 

Where one has testified against it, thousands have blessed 
it, and raised up their voices and pens in its behalf But for 
some clamor, the Sanitary Commission would have lacked 
one evidence of heavenly approval. "Woe be unto you 
when all men speak well of you." It imitated the blessed 
Master in His mission, and shared in His reproach. 

In this connection, I would relate an incident, to illustrate 
the value of a small amount of relief given by the Sanitary 
Commission. On my return voyage from Young's Point, a 
surgeon introduced himself, and thanked me for saving his 
life. Amused at my surprise, he thus explained it. He had 
been afflicted with chronic disease, that threatened his life 
and defied medicine. lie heard I had dried blackberries, 
and sent to me for them, I gave his messenger my last cup- 



THE DRUMMER-BOY ON SILVER WAVE. 211 

full. (I dealt tliem out carefully). This simple remedy 
arrested his disease, and fitted him to travel homeward, 
where proper care and good nursing would complete the 
cure. 

On the Silver Wave, I became acquainted with a noble- 
looking boy, fourteen years of age, who was detailed to assist 
the clerk in filling requisitions. He was so neat, orderly, 
quiet and diligent, that he was a universal favorite. He fol- 
lowed me closely, and seemed to cling to me as a mother. 
He was a drummer-boy, and had left home with the consent 
of his mother. I noticed him in the evening, reading his 
Testament and hymn-boQk, and had much interesting conver- 
sation with him. On one occasion he said, "Would you 
like to see my mother's parting note, to be always carried 
about me, she said, so that if I fell in battle, my name might 
be known ? " On a delicate sheet of paper the following 
note was written, in an exquisite chirography : 

"A Co., Ohio. 



^^Arthur W. C , Musician, Regiment. 

"'Should my precious child fall wounded among strangers, 
I hope and trust he will find some kind person to love him 
for his mother. 

"Mary W. C , Odoher '^Ist, 1862." 

I said, " Arthur, tell your mother, though you have not 
fallen wounded, you have found a friend to love you for 
your rhother." " I will," he said, carefully folding his note, 
as tears filled his fine dark eyes; "no money could buy it 
from me." William and his mother will pardon me for the 
mention of this fact, honorable alike to both. 



212 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER xirr. 

February 22 at Young's Point. — Naval salute. — Southern sun and 
rain. — G-unboat fleet. — Oapt. MacMHlan of Silver Wave. — Midnight 
scare. — Visit to Admiral Porter and flag-ship. — Rebel boy-gunner. 
— Army pets. — Visit to naval hospital. — Naval regatta. — Southern 
sunset. 

A LETTER of my own, dated Young's Point, February 22, 
1863, recalls a host of thrilling memories, of one of the most 
eventful days of a three years' war-life. "When it dawned, 
I had been a week at Young's Point, enduring the trying 
scenes and discomforts of a thorough visitation of the hospi- 
tals, after days and nights of rain, that knew neither hin- 
drance nor abatement, but fell continuously in solid sheets, 
as though the windows of heaven were opened, and all nature 
muttering and moaning in dismay or discontent. 

As if to avenge himself for the veiled glories of these lat- 
ter days, " up rose the powerful king of day, rejoicing in the 
east," bathing the earth, transports and camps, in a flood of 
glory. Even the audacious rebel city, ensconced on the 
hill-side, saucily daring our veterans, looked radiant. Every 
dome, steeple or window, reflected or refracted the sun's 
rays, and shed a fictitious and prismatic beauty over the 
battered and clumsy brick walls of the south-western strong- 



22d FEB. AT young's POINT, 213 

hold of treason. I never realized the exquisite beauty of a 
southern sun and sky, till I beheld on that day the blue of 
the canopy that spanned the Union camp and the rebel city, 
and the sun tftat " shone alike on the just, and on the unjust." 

The contrast to the previous gloom, doubly enhanced its 
charms. Things animate and inanimate seemed infused 
with new life. The hitherto dripping tents of the camp, 
looked white and picturesque for the first time ; the flies of 
the tents were lifted to welcome the balmy air and brilliant 
sunlight ; the pale faces and bowed forms of hundreds of our 
soldiers, could be seen cautiously emerging from them, 
testing the soil, lest they might share the fate of the old cow, 
stalled in the mud, and dying, within sight of our boat, 
because she could not be extricated. The levee swarmed 
with blue coats; and every pole, rope or tree was in requisi- 
tion, covered with blankets, shirts and drawers, " to dry off 
the mould, and cure the rheumatism," Shouts, songs and 
jests rang from group to group. Even the poor fellows 
who " siuck,^^ joined in the chorus. 

Half a mile from the mouth of the Yazoo, a short dis- 
tance from the transports, lay the fleet of iron-clads, with 
their broad, flat, tortoise-like backs, ready to paddle in obedi- 
ence to orders. The rainbow radiance of the sunlight, the 
gay flaunting Stars and Stripes, and the brilliant signals 
spread out on the Black Hawk, the flag-ship of the fleet, 
relieved their sombre, sleepy look. Some of them, from 
their outlines, and surroundings of long lines of red, white, 
and blue clothing, appeared in the distance, through the 
trees, draped with the graceful but funereal moss, like Swiss 
cottages on a plane of glass. 



214 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Around the bend of the Mississippi, in the swamp below 
the levee, laj Grant's army, whose name is the synonym of 
courage, endurance, bravery unsurpassed. As yet, they had 
not won their brightest laurels; but their »unmurmuring 
patience and indomitable will were developed, tested, and 
strengthened, by the painful trials and privations they were 
enduring at that time. But to ray story. 

The booming of a hundred guns ushered in this memor- 
able day. The roar from their iron throats, that belched 
forth smoke and flame, through every open port-hole, made 
the celebration guns at home seem like playthings, and ex- 
plained the soldiers' merriment, when the old six-pounders 
of their native towns were brought out to welcome the re- 
turning heroes. I remember many regiments thus welcomed, 
and have keenly enjoyed the sly jests of the boys, and their 
"unsuccessful efforts to look impressed. As the salute con- 
tinued, fleecy clouds of smoke rolled upwards in graceful 
evolutions, disclosing the grim monsters that had made the 
uproar, and spreading over the cerulean sky a veil of gos- 
samer, so inimitably soft and delicate, that it robbed the 
warlike scene of its fierceness, and poetized the skeleton, 
battered, and begrimed fleet of transports, fringing the river- 
banks. In the centre of the stream lay anchored the three- 
decked flag-ship of Admiral Porter, the Black Hawk ; her 
20-pounder Parrots and howitzers discoursing loud music from 
the open port-holes. The great flag and brilliant signals, like 
a flock of tropical birds, gleamed through the rising smoke. 
As we gazed upon this sublime scene, we were told we had 
seen all that is apt to be seen of a naval action. Strange 
fact! that we were celebrating "Washington's birthday in an 



FAREWELL ADDRESS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. 215 

enemy's country. Vicksburg was tongue-tied that day. 
The night before, a United States steamer had passed her 
batteries, and they belched forth brimstone and iron hail, 
and " painted hell on the sky." 

On the 22d of February, 18G3, they were grum and 
silent. They did not add a hallelujah to the psean that arose 
from the loyal army to the memory of George Washington, 
" first in tvar, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen." What more stern rebuke could these internal 
enemies of our beneficent government have received, than the 
prophetic wisdom of the " Father of his Country," uttered in 
his " farewell address? " " The unity of the government is a 
main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the sup- 
port of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad, of your 
safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you 
so highly prize." And agJiin : " The very idea of the right 
of the people to establish government, presupposes the duty 
of every individual to obey the established government^ These 
utterances explain the silence of the rebellion on the great 
gala-day of the Republic. 

The Silver Wave, the United States sanitary-boat, on 
which we lived at Young's Point, was one of the first trans- 
ports of Grant's fleet that ran the batteries at Vicksburg. 
Her intrepid captain, John MacMillan, of Pittsburg, Penn- 
sylvania, sat beside the smoke-stack in his old arm-chair, 
composedly smoking his pipe, while shot and shell, thunder 
and lightning, played around him. On the same day of which 
I write, before his heroism had won the admiration of our 
military officers, he accompanied us to visit Admiral Porter, 
at his headquarters on the Black Hawk. 



216 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

We found the ranking-officer of tlie iron-clad fleet a much 
younger man than we had supposed. His coal-black hair, 
keen eye, and clearly-cut visage, gave the impression of 
youth. He received us courteously, and welcomed us to 
his hospitalities, at all times charming, but especially so, after 
a week's sojourn on a battered, leaking, rudely furnished, 
and plainly provided transport of war, as the Silver Wave 
had become from necessit3^ We were impressed with the 
thorough neatness and perfect order of this ship of state, 
from the headquarters to the scullery. The saloon was plain 
but comfortable, and well provided with charts and books 
of naval warfare. The chart of the camp, the river, and 
the transports at Vicksburg, as explained by the Admiral, 
were instructive and entertaining, and gave a clue to much 
that was before mysterious. 

The Admiral pointed out and -explained all the warlike 
arrangements of his vessel. The lavish appropriation of 
bales of cotton around the smoke-stacks, brought to mind 
the live-shilling 3'ard of muslin at home, and would have 
appeared wasteful, but for the value of human life, best pro- 
tected by this almost impenetrable casement. Admiral 
Porter expected soon to visit Jeff Davis's plantation, and 
promised us a bale of his cotton for soldiers' comforts. Alas ! 
the wily statesman had better guarded King Cotton than 
the Confederate President. The latter was taken in his 
flight, but the former, oiled with greenbacks, slipped the 
blockade, and left the poor boys minus that amount of win- 
ter covering. 

The stud of blood-horses in the stables would have in- 
spired a connoisseur, but we failed to see their points, though 



REBEL GUNNER-BOY ON THE BLACK HAWK. 217 

scientifically described. The beautiful white Durham, that 
gave milk that was almost butter, looked unearthly in her 
beauty in that far-off land, and would have been deified in 
an Egyptian temple. 

We were greatly interested and amused with a tiny rebel 
gunner, only 12 years old, who had stood at his place to the 
last, at the battle of Arkansas Post, and fired straight on, till 
the fort surrendered. He was manifestly the pet of the 
ship, answered to the given name of Jeff Davis, professed 
conversion, but occasionally cried to see his mother, poor 
child! His slight, trim figure, in the blue naval jacket, with 
broad collar and white stars, looked graceful and attractive. 
He had an olive complexion, that savored of southern climes^ 
regular features, and showed a brilliant set of teeth, as he 
smilingly obeyed the order of Admiral Porter, to bring in his 
rebel crow, his companion in capture and kind treatment. The 
poor frightened thing cawed wickedly, and hopped on the 
burning coals of the grate, from which Jeff with a dart 
rescued him, and caressingly carried him to the surgeon for 
treatment. 

The pets of the army were one of its strong and affecting 
features. Even when in the midst of blood and strife, the 
human heart must have something to love. These pets were 
found in the rudest " shebangs," as well as ship sof state. A 
soldier on the weary march would throw away his overcoat, 
blanket or knapsack, and hold on to his squirrel, bird, cat, 
or even unsightly cur, whose midnight growl reminded him 
of the old watch-dog at the homestead. 

We gratefully bade the Admiral good-bye, as he placed 
us on board our fussj^, puffing, Chicago tug, and proceeded 



218 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

to visit hospitals and camps. Vehicles by land were 
at that time useless ; the forage of the mules was carried 
on the backs of fellow mules — packages of hay flistened by 
ropes, carried as panniers, A six-mule team was necessary 
to haul a barrel of flour a mile, in a space of time according 
to circumstances. The military boats of the army were 
often entirely submerged in the Mississippi mud. Drilling 
was impracticable, the whole efforts of the army being neces- 
sary to transport rations and forage sufficient to keep the 
souls and bodies of men together, and preserve the animals 
from starvation. Yet ,at this time, the croakers at home cried 
out, " Why don't Grant move on Yicksburg? " " Why does 
he lie idle so long ? " Would that they could have taken 
these heroes' places for one short week ! The croaking 
would have ceased, but we fear Vicksburg would not have 
fallen. 

We steamed over to the naval hospital from the flag- 
ship, and found it a marvel, in extent, neatness, order, com- 
fort and skill. The contrast between the comforts and 
exposure of the army and navy, was the same in sick- 
ness as in health. This naval hospital told the story. In- 
dependent of location, only needing water enough to float 
the three-decked steamer, having permanence, undisturbed 
by changing camps, or impossible transportation, unharmed 
by raids of rebels, but able to move to and fro with stretch- 
ers and cot§, with their inmates unmoved within them, with 
all the appliances for cleanliness and comfort, there was 
every encouragement to systematic, liberal and permanent ar- 
rangements. We were not envious, but profoundly thankful, 
that such things were possible for our navy, if not our army, 



U. S. NAVAL HOSPITAL BOAT. 219 

and could but commend the admirable manner in which all 
these facilities had been improved, by the skilful surgeon, 
and a corps of Mother Angela's nurses, on the naval hos- 
pital boat. 

As there had been at that time comparatively little blood- 
shed in the navy, there were but few cases of wounds in this 
hospital. The larger number were suffering from disease, so 
alleviated and mitigated by kindness and skill, that all the 
repulsive features of such a place were absent, and the main 
wards appeared like saloons of refreshment for weary travel- 
lers who had stopped by the way. Newspapers, magazines, 
checkers, portfolios, comfortable dressing-gowns, warm socks 
and slippers, were abundantly supplied by our beneficent 
government and her handmaidens, the Sanitary Commis- 
sions. The simple delicacies, appropriate to each sick man, 
were prepared wath home-like care. Visions of plump 
poached eggs, savory milk toast and rice puddings, green tea 
and loaf sugar, blend with the reminiscences of the U. S. 
Naval Hospital, and add not a little to the memory of that 
natal day, when heaven and earth seemed to conspire to 
envelop our suffering army with a radiant cloud, benignant 
while it lasted, and a joy to remember. 

The only really sad sight I saw on that boat, was a slender, 
beautiful boy of twelve years old, who sat on a little stool 
beside a vacant cot, with a " Second Reader" in his hand ; his 
great dark eyes looking far beyond his book, while his head 
rested on his hand. I said to him, cheerfully : " My little 
man, what are you doing here ? " "I am paralyzed." 
"How came you here?" "I have a mother, and she is a 
widow. I got a situation on an iron-clad as a messenger, 



220 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and got good wages ; now I am here because I can't walk 
any longer." "Do you want to see your mother? " His 
lip quivered as he said: "Yes; but she can't support me, 
and I can't support myself." 

The kind surgeon confirmed the little fellow's statement, 
but said in time he would be well, and should be carefully 
nursed. His looks of love and confidence convinced me 
'twould be so. Still his pale, sad face haunted me, for on it 
was written "homeless" — sad token for any, especially for 
a child. — See Appendix. 

As I talked with him, I was summoned in haste to the 
guards of the boat, to see a novel and stirring sight. Signals 
had been displayed from the flag-ship, ordering every gun- 
boat's gig, fully manned and equipped, to report forth- 
with at headquarters. The boats were rapidly lowered 
and emerged from the various iron-clads, skimming the 
water almost with a bound, propelled by the long and 
powerful strokes of the oarsmen. Even a boat-howitzer hin- 
dered not the speed of the craft carrying it. The guards of 
the steamers were filled with eager spectators of this warlike 
regatta. As the victorious leader first reached the companion- 
way, a long breath was the only sound of applause — mystery 
kep tall silent. The splendor of the noonday sun, and the 
delicious breeze that fanned us, added zest to this moving 
panorama. The quiet of this mysterious, majestic, silent 
regatta, with all its warlike accompaniments and possible 
meaning, formed a wonderful contrast to the supeificial and 
noisy display on similar occasions at home. The mystery 
was afterwards explained. The admiral, desirous to ascertain 
precisely the promptness and preparation of the gunboats 



ADMIRAL porter's FLOUR-BARREL RAFT. 221 

for sudden emergencies, devised this plan to test them. No 
wonder he expressed himself fully satisfied. 

We had an instance of this commander's ingenuity a few 
nights previous. About midnight, a terrific fire opened from 
the batteries at Yicksburg, and a general alarm and prepara- 
tion for encounter with rebel rams, took place. The day we 
called upon Admiral Porter, he told us the story of this flour- 
barrel raft. The barrels were painted black to resemble 
smoke-stacks and boiler. A steamer towed it as far as 
safety would permit, and then cut loose, leaving the raft to 
rush down the rapid current of the Mississippi. The firing 
that ensued spent a considerable amount of rebel ammuni- 
tion, and showed the naval commander, who was eagerly 
watching, the position of the various guns, and proved the 
watchfulness of the enemy. 

At the close of this eventful day, as we touched the Silver 
Wave, and mounted the companion-way, old Sol was just 
retiring, drawing his curtains around him. The rosy flush 
of promise left in his train, betokened a good time coming 
on the morrow. The distant sound of drums, the songs 
and rnerry laugh of the soldiers, as they gathered to the 
camp, fell cheerily on our ears. The golden gates of the 
western horizon had been lifted to let the king of day pass 
through, and still stood open. It required but a faint stretch 
of the imagination, to catch a glimpse of the celestial city, 
with its walls of jasper, where there " shall be no more sin, 
no more sorrow," and where the "voice of war shall be 
heard no more." « 



222 THE BOYS m BLUE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Description of camp-ground at Young's Point. — Funerals on the levee. — 
Arrival of the steamer Des Aroe, laden with coffins. — Reception of 
stretchers, filled with patients, at sanitary-boat. — Incidents'. — Meet- 
ing Mrs. Gov. Harvey, of Wisconsin, on Silver Wave. — St. Louis 
ladies on hospital-steamer City of Alton. — Reception of patients. — 
Hospital breakfast. — Sketch of Miss Breckenridge. 

The Mississippi River, after passing the moutli of tlie 
Yazoo, makes a prodigious bend that forms a peninsula, 
on the north-western portion of which, lay Grant's arm3\ 
Vicksburg occupied the ledges of the opposite bluff, three 
miles from Sherman's landing, where lay the transports 
of war. The encampment immediately in the neighborhood 
of the steamers, was out of the range of the enemy's guns. 
The levee ran in the direction of the river, and formed the 
only protection for the low grounds of the encampment, 
from the great swelling flood above, constantly threatening 
to overflow them. The canal, partially completed by Gen. 
Grant, was intended to cross this peninsula, from north to 
seuth, and connect with the river at one and a fourth 
mile below Sherman's Landing, and at some distance below 
Yicksburg. 



! ' 



■ill!! 



%. 



m 




^<p^^ /L\ 



Ki- 



LEVEE AT YOUNG S POINT. 223 

Yery near to the mouth of the canal, lay the steamer 
Magnolia, the headquarters of Gen. Grant, the nearest point 
to Vicksburg, out of range of the enemy's guns. The 
levee varied in width, from four to ten feet, and was from 
ten to fifteen feet in height. It was in constant requisi- 
tion as a line of communication between the regiments and 
the landing. At first, a strong guard was kept on either 
side, to prevent any but pedestrians from using it. As the 
flood increased, equestrians were permitted to ride upon it ; 
finally, it became the refuge of the army, until the troops 
were driven to transports by the rising waters. During our 
sojourn at Young's Point, horses and mules occasionally 
passed over it, and groups of soldiers were constantly to be 
gathered upon it, for air and exercise. 

'Twas the only terra firma to be seen, and was the spot 
where the sunny and shady side of army life were hourly 
exhibited. At Young's Point, at that time, war was robbed 
of its " pomp and circumstance,'' stood out in lines of stern 
reality, and taxed the endurance and patriotism of every man 
within its bounds. The location of our boat, so as to be 
accessible to hospitals and regiments, afforded a fine op- 
portunity to witness the shifting scenes on the levee, which 
were constantly and rapidly changing. The superior offi- 
cers, with their orderlies, could scarcely be distinguished 
from their subordinates, for all uniforms were faded and 
soiled, and the horses and mules alike jaded and forlorn. 
Mules were used entirely for transportation, as their touo-h- 
ness and dogged persistence far exceeded that of horses. 
The scattering of groups of soldiers at the approach of quad- 
rupeds, and the attempted drill of regiments on the spongy 



224 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

soil below the levee, formed the only variation in the monot- 
ony of army life at the time. Every such occasion was 
hailed with rapture, and created uproarious merriment, quite 
out of proportion to the occasion. The " boys " always made 
the most of every opportunity for a joke. 

In the midst of this moving tableau, one view so 
constantly recurred that it appeared as a fixed feature of 
the scene. Nothing that we saw in the army, was more 
gloomy and significant, than the ever-repeated burials on 
the levee, at Young's Point. The dead heroes bore light- 
ly on their bearers, for their emaciation was utter and com- 
plete, and they had no funeral trappings to add to their 
weight. A single piece of pine board formed the bier, and 
a blanket was the only coffin. Seldom more than four men, 
including the bearers, accompanied the body. Occasionally, 
two or three couples followed in the rear. At almost any 
spot, the meagre cortege stopped. On the side of the levee, 
which was a shelving bank, a shallow resting-place was hol- 
lowed, the body deposited rapidly, and lightly covered with 
earth, a head-board inserted, with the name and regiment of 
the deceased, and his comrades retraced their steps, to await 
their turn. These funerals continued from morning till 
night, almost unnoticed, scarcely attracting the attention of 
the groups of blue- coats, lounging within sight of them. 
Thus the levee of the Mississippi was fringed with graves so 
numerous, that the head-boards interfered materially with 
woman's apparel, as she sadly made her way amidst them. 

One morning, when, to the surprise and delight of all, the 
rain had ceased for an hour, I observed from the end window 
of the sanitary store-house, an unusually animated and 



STEAMER "DES ARCS " LADEN WITH COFFINS, 225 

cheerful group of soldiers. They were gazing at something 
hidden from my view with great interest and pleasure. 
I passed out to the guards, and, behold ! the steamer Des 
Arcs, laden with stained coflins, had arrived during the night. 
I was amazed and bewildered at the feelings manifested by 
such a sight, descended the companion-way and plank, 
and caught the following language as I approached the men. 
" I'm glad my time didn't come till the cofhns got here. I 
tell you 'tis plaguy hard to think of being carried on a 
board and buried in a dirty blanket." "That's so," said 
another; '"taint human to be buried like a dog. Death 
don't seem half so bad since I've seen these coffins." The 
mystery was explained. 

The next day, I saw the practical working of the same 
principle — a genuine funeral — a novel sight at Young's 
Point. As it passed, the soldiers on our guards remarked 
it was "got up in style." One of the new coflins was placed 
on a board, and hoisted on four men's shoulders. Two 
pallid musicians led the funeral procession, and squeaked a 
mournful air from a very thin, shrill pipe, accompanied by a 
drum, "They had scared up a chaplain, sure enough," the 
"boys" said, and had eight soldiers following the bier, with 
reversed arms and bowed heads, the cynosure of all eyes. 
The rare ceremony brought out a swarm of admiring soldiers, 
who felt the elation of men restored to civilization and 
humanity. The grave was dug deeper, the chaplain made a 
prayer, the covering was heavier than usual, and more care- 
fully spaded, the head-board more firmly placed, and the 
procession returned to the regiment with increased self-respect 

and decorous sadness. Who will dispute the statement that 

15 



226 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the freight of the "Des Arcs" was elevating to the morale of 
the army, and was one of the most clieerful sights to be seen 
at Young's Point ? Good cheer, it must be remembered, is 
a relative quality. 

During this visit to Young's Point I had the privilege of 
making the acquaintance of the widow of Gov. Harvey, 
of Wisconsin, who was assiduously visiting hospitals and 
looking after the general interests of soldiers; especially 
those whom she regarded as her special charge, and for 
whom her husband gave his life — the "boys" from Wis- 
consin. Her labors during the war and since its close, in 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home of Wisconsin, have so mate- 
rially affected her health, that she has felt obliged to yield to 
the entreaties of friends and go abroad for a year, where 
military work will be impossible, and the current of her 
thoughts turned into new and less exhausting channels. 

While on the Silver Wave, we were suddenly called be- 
low to receive a procession of stretchers, containing sick 
men intended for the hospital-transport, the "City of 
Alton," which had arrived during the night. Through a 
mistake, not uncommon in the army, the boat had gone 
to the upper landing, and the poor fellows must re- 
main with us during the night. We immediately pre- 
pared food and restoratives, for they were so weak that they 
were fainting with fatigue, when carried only two miles on 
stretchers. On one, lay an old man, whose silvery hair was 
inexpressibly affecting in such a place. I spoke to him, but 
he answered not. I knelt beside him and attempted to give 
him some nourishment, but he refused it. Suddenly he 
looked up with terrible earnestness, and said: "Mother, 



"CITY OF ALTON'- HOSPITAL-TRANSPORT. 227 

have you beard from the boys ? " To humor the fancy, I 
repUed : " I bad not." " Strange," he answered ; " so long- 
since we have heard; and the others, dead! dead! dead!''^ 
After another silence, be opened bis eyes, with the same 
intense look, and said: "Mother, I'm glad I'm home. 
Bring me some water from the old well." I put a spoon 
to his lips. He pushed it back, gave a sharp cry, and all 
was over. His bearers were from the same regiment and 
town, and wept freely, for they said they loved the old man 
from Ohio, and felt so grieved for bis wife. Four sons and 
the father bad enlisted. Two bad been killed in battle, and 
the father bad been in great anxiety about the others, as he 
had not beard from them since the engagement at Arkansas 
Post. His comrades carried bis remains back to his regi- 
ment, and they were placed in one of the stained coffins, to 
be buried on the edge of the levee, and add another to 
the funeral trains. 

The next day, the hospital-transport, the "City of Alton" 
drew near to us. To my great delight, I found many of the 
same ladies whom I had met on the "White Hiver expedi- 
tion, Miss Breckenridge being one of the number. I accepted 
her invitation to assist her the following morning in giving 
the men of her ward their breakfast. When I arrived, 
ambulances, government wagons and stretchers, were wend- 
ing their way across the swampy bottom-land, to the boat. 
As the sick men were carefully lifted from the vehicles, 
hoisted on stretchers, and transferred to clean cots, white 
sheets and soft pillows, their exclamations of delight, or 
sobs of gratitude, overcame us. 

"We spent two hours in giving them their breakfast of 



228 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

scrambled eggs, toast,, green tea and white sugar — sick 
soldiers' special dainties. As they extended their clammy 
hands to grasp ours, a chill struck our hearts. One young 
fellow, pinched and withered, till he looked forty years of 
age, when only twenty, said, " Lady, please hold my hands. 
I have not felt a woman's hand since I left my mother, and 
yours are soft and warm like hers, and mine haven't been 
dry and warm for a month ! " Some of the sick soldiers 
were insensible, or raving with fever, or muttering of 
battles, marches and home. Nothing remained to be 
done for these but soothing, bathing and medicating, accord- 
ing to the surgeon's prescription. The great sleepless eyes 
of men, staring from white faces, shaded with dark masses 
of damp hair, sometimes accompanied with a dry racking 
cough, or incoherent ravings, startled us, till we felt helpless 
and despairing. Each man that was conscious, begged us to 
stop and say a word, or look at the inevitable daguerreofl^pe 
— the soldier's chief treasure. As this was my last meeting 
with Miss Breckenridge in the army, I know of no better 
place to give a sketch of her remarkable life and death, so 
inseparably connected with, and consequent upon her army 
labors. She fell a martyr to the cause of liberty, as heroi- 
cally as the soldier in the front rank of battle. 

« 

MAEGARET ELIZABETH BRECKENRIDGE 

Was born in Philadelphia, March, 1832, and was worthy of 
her exalted lineage on both sides. Her paternal grandfather, 
John Breckenridge, of Kentuck}^, successively filled the 
positions of U. S. Senator and Attorney-General of the 



SKETCH OF MISS BRECKENRIDGE. .. 229 

United States, Her father, the Rev. John Breckenridge, 
D. D., was professor in the Theological Seminary of Prince- 
ton. He was a man of eminent ability, piety, rare eloquence, 
and unsurpassed fascination of manner. Her maternal 
grandfather, was the able and patriarchal Samuel Miller, 
D. D., of Princeton, New Jersey, whose name and writings 
are inseparably connected with the reputation and prosperity 
of that renowned institution of theological learning. 

Miss Breckenridge possessed rare powers of mind : 
quick perception, retentive memory, keen thirst for knowl- 
edge, a strong emotional nature, broad humanity, and reso- 
lute will. This combination was beautifully tempered and 
harmonized by great vivacity, genial and lovely temper, and 
a self-abnegation, that made her heart a stepping-stone for all 
those she loved. The crowning graces of Christian humility 
and consecration were added to her lofty character. 

A life of comparative leisure had afforded opportunity for 
extensive reading, and her love of study led her to cultivate 
her rare gifts. She wrote finely, and as a contributor to the 
Princeton Standard^ nobly used her pen, as well as her other 
gifts, for the cause of her country. The exalted associations 
with which she had always been surrounded, had given her 
self-poise and perfect ease of manner. To satisfy the 
longing desire of numerous relatives, she divided her time 
among them, North, South, East and West. This cosmo- 
politan mode of life had obliterated all sectional lines, and 
developed and matured her broad nature. She had an 
instinctive love of justice, and the common brother- 
hood of mankind, that so tempered her aristocratic associa- 
tions, and lofty surroundings, that she stood forth the lovely, 



230 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

self-denying, dignified woman, ready for any work or 
sacrifice. 

Her j^atriotism, next to her religion, or rather as a part of 
it, was the ruling passion of her soul. She was at St. Louis 
in the early part of the war, and when a bold stand on the 
radical platform involved the sundering of many friendships, 
dear to her sensitive nature, she did not hesitate a moment, 
but with uplifted eye and spotless garments, passed through 
the fiery ordeal. At St. Louis, when her former associates 
hissed to scorn the German troops, and wept passionate tears, 
because, as they said, native State troops were taken prisoners 
by foreigners, she fearlessly said : " God bless the Dutch for 
what they have done, and Gen. Lyon for his wisdom and 
decision in saving us from treason." In Kentucky she ranged 
herself beside her revered and patriot uncle, Dr. Eobert Breck- 
enridge, whose name will be recorded in the history of the war 
of the rebellion, as the man in Kentucky, "svho, taking coun- 
sel of none but God, upheld loyal interests in the Church, 
and in the civil government of his beloved native State, as no 
other man did ; devoting his massive intellect, great adminis- 
trative ability, commanding eloquence and caustic pien, to the 
cause of freedom and the Union, at great personal sacrifice. 

Miss Breckenridge was in Kentucky, September 22, 1862, 
when Lexington was captured by Kirby Smith and his 
bodj'-guard, without firing a single gun, our troops not 
having made a stand there. She facetiously described it in a 
letter to a friend, at a single stroke, by the remark of a servant 
of one of the staff of Kirby Smith : " Lor, Massa, this is the 
easiest took town we got yik" She wrote such fliithful and 
humorous accounts of Gen. Kirby Smith's disappointment at 



BORDER-STATE WARFARE. 231 

the non-observance of Jeff. Davis' Thanks-giving-Daj, and of 
suppressed lojaltj in Lexington, that the General considered 
her dangerous to the peace, and issued an order that she 
must not leave Lexington, which she did not, during his 
regime. She was in the house of her uncle Robert when it 
was surrounded by Texan Rangers,with wild, streaming hair, 
buck-tails, lances, and crimson flag with a black cross and 
lone star, waiting to capture the old hero, and threatening to 
hang him on one of his own trees. By the ready wit and 
ingenuity of herself and some of the Doctor's family, aided 
by, faithful negroes, the Doctor was forewarned and turned 
back to Lexington, thus marring the iniquitous plot. 

She had witnessed the terrific struggles in the border 
States, between loyalty and treason, freedom and slavery, 
till they had strengthened her already strong nature and 
determined patriotism, till it excelled that of almost any 
person whom I met, during the war. It permeated her 
whole being, breathed in every word, lineament and action. 
She resolved, notwithstanding the protest of many devoted 
friends, who saw the end from the beginning, to enter the 
army as a hospital nurse. They knew her intense nature, 
and her frail body, at all times barely containing the soaring 
spirit, and they shuddered at the sacrifice. She was wonder- 
fully eloquent and persuasive in conversation, and so influ- 
enced them by her arguments and self-consecration, that they 
yielded their assent, and God set his seal upon her work, by 
His manifest blessing, and ere long gave her a martyr's 
crown. Who can murmur or repine at such a destiny? 

I can never forget the moral sublimity of her words at 
Young's Point, when chided for over work, and told she 



232 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

must die if she did not stop. " What if I do ? " slie said, 
■with glowing face and dilated form, till her slight figure 
grew majestic in my eyes. "Shall men come here and die 
by tens of thousands for us, and shall no woman be found to 
die for them?" Silence was her answer, and she went on 
in her work unimpeded. At the prayer-meeting that night* 
when the story was told to the soldiers, they wept and 
said, "Shall we not be willing to fight and die, if women 
feel like that?" Her fragile and youthful aj)pearance, 
musical voice, and overflowing sympathy, greatly fasci- 
nated the soldiers. They seemed to feel, as of Miss Saflford, 
she was not of the earth, earthy, but an angel visitant, 
that had alighted on the boat from above, to minister to 
them. Her transparent purity and dignity awed them. 
Her light movements, beaming face, and unwearying atten- 
tions, made her the idol of the sick men. 

As I followed her on the City of Alton, said a gray -headed 
veteran, " Ain't she an angel ! She never seems to tire, and 
is always smiling, and don't seem to walk — she flies, all but. 
God bless her." Said another, a fair boy of seventeen sum- 
mers, as she smoothed his hair, and told him he would soon 
see his mother and the old homestead, and be won back 
again to life and health : " Ma'am, where do you come from ? 
How could such a lady as you come down here to take care 
of such poor, sick, dirty boys? " She replied, "I consider it 
an honor to wait on you, and wash off the mud you've waded 
through for me." Another said, " Did you ever hear her 
sing? Why, it is just like 'hearing a bird singing heavenly 
tunes." Some folded their hands as she joassed, and raised 
their eyes. Nobody doubted what their hearts were saying. 



COL. PETER porter's DEATH. 233 

She wrought for the souls as well as bodies of men, and 
without cant or pharisaical demeanor, led the wandering 
sheep "into green pastures and beside still waters," where, I 
doubt not, she now rests, wearing a martyr's crown, studded 
with precious souls. She said, with a quaint look, 
peculiarly her own, " When I first entered the army, and the 
soldiers heard my name, they looked on me suspiciously. I 
was, however, soon able to disarm their fears, and prove the 
name had been redeemed by more than one earnest patriot." 
Her humility in the soldiers' work was as touching as her 
earnestness. Desiring to be thorough in all she undertook, 
she determined to apply for admission to the Episcopal Hos- 
j^ital of Philadelphia, to receive a thorough training as a 
surgical nurse, intending to labor in the hospitals of Ken- 
tucky. On the 2d of May, 1S64, she entered the institution. 

In one short month, she was taken with erysipelas, having 
nursed a severe case of the disease. By the kindness of 
friends, devoted to the work of that hospital, she was re- 
moved to a home of luxury, and nursed most tenderly by 
the family and her maternal aunt, who immediately went to 
her from Princeton. Her brother. Judge S. M. Brecken- 
ridge, of St. Louis, who sympathized with her in her patriot- 
ism and her work, was providentially in the East, and took 
her on her homeward journey to Niagara. I had the privilege 
of seeing her at the time, and can convey no idea of the anxi- 
ety of her friends at her cheerfulness, which they knew must 
be so soon clouded by the knowledge of the blow that might 
overwhelm her, and had been held back till the last moment. 

Her brother-in-law, Col. Peter Porter, of Niagara, one of 
the most accomplished and elegant men in the country, hav- 



234: * THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ing improved the rarest opportunities for culture at home 
and abroad, having a residence unrivalled for na,tural 
charms, literary and scientific associations, with abundant 
wealth and an interesting family, had laid all these gifts on 
the altar of his country, and gone forth to battle, and fallen 
at Cold Harbor, gallantly leading his regiment. From the 
moment that Miss Breckenridge was made acquainted with 
this terrible calamity, although she bowed submissively after 
the first shock of agony, the pins of the tabernacle seemed 
gradually to be loosening. 

With great care she reached Niagara, where the insidious 
typhoid that had lingered, watching for its prey when 
reduced to the extremity of weakness, struggled for five 
weeks for the mastery. With the approach of the grim mes- 
senger, came the submissive spirit of His conqueror, that 
led all her friends to say, "Oh! death, where is thy sting? 
Oh ! grave, where is thy victory ? " She was even willing 
to be laid aside from her army work, and softly whispered, 
" underneath are the everlasting arms." Not in rapture, but 
in peace, her spirit passed away, July 27, 1864. Beside her 
sister and brother-in-law, her precious dust rests at Niagara, 
whose sublime and endless moan furnishes a fit requiem for 
one of earth's noblest daughters. 

From the figures furnished by the surgeons at Young's 
Point (for I did not act on impressions), I ascertained that 
12,000 men were on the sick-list — about 33|- per cent, of the 
entire army at that point — a large portion of them giving 
evidence of incipient scurvy, which so inevitably complicated 
wounds and swamp-diseases, that a large number proved fatal. 



^ SOLDIER KILLED BY A COPPERHEAD. 235 

The only remedy for this, we were assured by the surgeons, 
was a free use of vegetables and anti-scorbutics, pickles, 
sour-krout and lemons. Our duty to turn our steps north- 
ward, as soon as possible, and procure them, became very 
plain. I accordingly left, on the first boat going north, after 
the decision, and occupied my first and only day of 
strength, in the effort of interesting all on board, bound for 
various localities in the North- West, to do the same thing. 

One gentleman, whom I approached on the subject, told 
me the following sad tale. He had been an army surgeon, 
relieved at his own request on account of feeble health. Ilis 
uncle, a farmer in Southern Illinois, and a truly loyal man, 
had an only son in Gen. Grant's army. He had been very 
ill for many weeks. At the request of the father, sick him- 
self, the surgeon had gone to Young's Point to have the boy 
furloughed, if possible, and taken home to recruit. " Now," 
said he, scowling darkly, "I am taking home his body, 
his life sacrificed by a copperhead ; but the Governor 
shall have the facts of the case, and I trust justice may be 
meted out to him. The young fellow gained strength rapidly 
after I reached him ; his surgeon pronounced him convales- 
cent, his furlough was procured, and we were to leave on 
the next boat, la the meantime a letter came, which I 
opened at his request, and read to him. Had I known its 
contents, lie would never have heard it. It proved to be 
from an uncle, a notorious copperhead. In the ordinary 
style of such men, he abused the abolition war and all 
engaged in it ; expressed becoming horror at his nephew's 
connection with it, and begged of him not to be such a fool 
any longer, but to desert, if he could get off no other way, 



236 THE BOYS IN BLUE. ^ 

and come home; they would take care of him, and added 
that the young man's father perfectly agreed with him. ' It 
is false,' said the poor boy, starting np. ' It is a lie, and he 
knows it; ' and he drew another letter from under his pillow. 
' Here is a letter I received from father yesterday, but the 
date is a day later than my uncle's; see what he says.' 
" My son, I love you better than anything on earth, but 
would rather see you dead than that you should desert your 
post at such a time as this, or foil in courage." ' And this is 
the way,' said the frantic youth, 'this is the way we are 
treated by such traitors when we come down here to fight 
and die for our country.' 

"The surgeon soon came to give some parting directions, 
and started when he saw him, for his face was flushed, his 
pulse beating rapidl}'-, but feebly, and he, unconscious, 
muttering incoherently, 'father,' 'uncle,' 'copperheads,' 
' treason,' and ' the old flag.' ' What does this all mean ? ' 
he cried. I handed him the letter. He stamped his foot, 
and said, 'The sting of the serpent has killed him.' He 
sank in a few hours, never recovering his reason, as 
much the victim of treason, as if pierced by a bullet 
from a rebel rifle. I dread to meet his father, and fear 
the shock will end his already feeble life." This cruelty 
and treacher3\ practised towards our brave defenders when 
they most needed our sympathy and cooperation, were the 
bitterest curse of our army, and the most abominable stench 
in the nostrils of our soldiers. They felt like giving a fair 
field and square fight to rebels in arms, but with compressed 
lips and clenched fists, they longed to crush copperheads 
beneath their heel. 



EFFORTS FOR SOLDIERS OX RETURN BOAT. 237 

]\Ir. I. Y. Mnnn, and Eev. Mr. Burnell, of Beloit, worked 
nobly all the homeward passage to spread the knowledge of 
the want of vegetables in the army. Mr. Willard, like my- 
self, was prostrate with fever. After the first day, I sank 
witli a congestive chill, the result of excessive exposure and 
fatigue in the swamps at • Young's Point, and but for the 
powerful remedies of a skilful surgeon, accustomed to such 
cases, I would never have been able to redeem my pledges 
to the soldiers. That homeward journey lies in the distance, 
like a fearful dream. I learned, however, better to under- 
stand the sufferings of sick soldiers, and trust my saved life 
was quickened in their behalf. Within two days after 
my return, I rode to the rooms of the Commission, and 
handed in my report. For the first and last time, I was 
suspected of carrying my heart in my sleeve, and over- 
rating army sickness. 

My reports were so unexpected and overwhelming, they 
were not willing to believe them accurate, and laughingly, 
but courteously told me, they feared I had onion on the 
brain. I liad, and admitted it. The Commission were a lit- 
tle slow to believe at first, but our honored president and sec- 
retary at once aroused to vigorous action. Ira Y. Munn, Esq., 
promptly called a meeting of the Board of Trade, and made 
one of his telling speeches, which brought down tlie money, 
and a committee was appointed to send out circulars from 
the board. Mrs. Livermore and myself labored day and 
night, sending letters and circulars to every aid society, 
begging for prompt and liberal action. Agents were sent out 
to purchase vegetables, sour-krout and pickles. The Board 
of Trade and Sanitary Commission worked hand in hand. 



238 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Letters of the most imploring character, from Young's 
Point, confirming my statements, and begging for assistance, 
quickly followed me. A furore was raised. Cars came in 
loaded with vegetables and anti-scorbutics, and in the course 
of three weeks the pledge was redeemed, and thousands of 
barrels of vegetables reached, and were distributed to the 
army at Young's Point. Eations of these supplies were 
dealt out to regiments as well as to hospitals, and the univer- 
sal verdict of ofHcers and men was, that these and like sup- 
plies had saved the army. 



WORK AT THE COMMISSION ROOMS. 239 



CHAPTER XV. 

Work at the Commission rooms. — A day at the rooms of the Sanitary 
Commission, by Mrs. Livermore. — Mode of raising supphes. — 
" Where there's a -will, there's a way," by Mrs. Livermore. — " Women 
in the harvest-field," by Mrs. Livermore. — Mrs. Livermore's army 
trip to MiUiken's Bend. 

Subsequent to our return from Young's Point, the work of 
the Commission moved forward more vigorously than ever, 
as appeals for help, from surgeons, officers and men, were 
brought by every mail. Life at the "Eooms" became 
intensified, and the pressure so great, that our sanitary labors 
were often continued at our homes till midnight, and the 
sufferings of the army then tucked under our pillows, to 
visit us in our dreams. Days, weeks and months rapidly 
succeeded each other, and as they rolled on, cheered us with 
benisons and hallelujahs that the crisis had passed, the arm}'- 
was relieved and invigorated, and the heroic regiments 
crowding transports on the Mississippi, to reinforce their 
veteran brothers for the bloody work before them. Each 
day repeated the other in our busy life at home, of which I 
am permitted to present a picture, from the graphic pen of 
Mrs. Livermore, who has already given a "Peep into the 



240 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

Boxes," mid who was my co-laborer in the toils and privileges 
of sanitary life. 

A DAY AT THE ROOMS OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 

It is early morning — not nine o'clock — for #ie children 
are flocking in merry droves to school, making the sweet air 
resonant with their joyous treble and musical laugh, as with 
clustering golden heads, and interlacing arms, they recount 
their varied experiences since the parting of the night before, 
and rapturously expatiate on the delights of a coming excur- 
sion, or promised picnic. With a good-bj'e kiss, we 
launch our own little folks, bonneted, sacqued, and bal- 
lasted with books like the rest, into the stream of childhood, 
that is setting in strong and full towards the school-room, 
and then catch the street car, that leaves us at the rooms of 
the " Chicago Sanitary Commission." But early as is our 
arrival, a dray is already ahead of us, unloading its big 
boxes and little boxes, barrels and firkins, baskets and bun- 
dles at the door of the Commission. The sidewalk is barri- 
caded with multiform packages, which John the porter, w^ith 
his inseparable truck, is endeavoring to stow away in the 
"Receiving Room." Here hammers, hatchets, wedges and 
chisels are in requisition, compelling the crammed boxes to 
disgorge their heterogeneous contents, which are rapidly 
assorted, stamped, repacked, and rcshipped, their stay in the 
room rarely exceeding a few hours. 

We enter the oflSce. Ladies are in w^aiting, who desire 
information. The aid society in another State, of which they 
are officers, has raised at a Fourth of July festival some six 
hundred dollars, and they wish to know how it shall be dis- 



A DAY AT THE ROOMS OF THE SAN. COM. 2 11 

posed of, SO as to afford the greatest amount of relief to the 
sick and wounded of our army. Thej are also instructed 
to investigate the mean^ and method of the Commission, so 
as to carry conviction to a few obstinate skeptics, who persist 
in doubting if the Sanitary Commission, after all, be the best 
meiins of communication with the hospitals. Patiently and 
courteously, the history, method, means, views and successes 
of the Commission are lucidly explained for the hundredth 
time in a month, and all needed advice and instruction im- 
parted — and the enlightened women leave. 

An express messenger enters. He brings a package, ob- 
tains his fee, gets receipted for the package, and without a 
word departs. Next comes a budget of letters — the morn- 
ing's mail. One announces the shipment of a box of hospi- 
tal stores, which will arrive to-day ; another scolds roundly 
because a letter sent a week ago has not been answered 
— which has been answered, as the copying-book indis- 
putably asserts, but has been miscarried ; the third has a 
bugaboo, mythical story to relate of the surgeons and 
nurses in a distant hospital, with large development of 
alimentiveness, who save little for their patients, being 
mainly occupied in "seeking what they can devour " of the 
hospital delicacies; a fourth pleads earnestly and eloquently 
that the writer may be sent as a nurse to the sad, cheerless, 
far-away hospitals ; a fifth is the agonised letter of a mother 
and widow, blistered^with tears, begging piteously that the 
Commission will search out, and send to her, tidings of her 
only son, 

" Scarce more than a boy with unshaven face 
"Who marched away with a star on his breast. ' 
16 



242 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and has not been heard from since the battle of Grand Gulf: 
a sixth seeks information concerning the organization of an 
aid society in a remote town, which has just awakened to its 
duty; a seventh is a letter from nine-year-old little girls, 
who have earned five dollars, and wish to spend it for the 
" poor sick soldiers." God bless the dear children ! An 
eighth begs that one of the ladies of the Commission will 
visit the society in her town, and rekindle the flagging zeal 
of the tired workers, who forget that our brave men do not 
stop in their marches, and postpone not their battles and 
their victories because of the heat, or of weariness ; a ninth 
announces the death of one of our heroic nurses, who was 
sent by the Commission a few months ago to Tennessee, a 
blue-eyed, broad-browed, serious-faced, comely girl, with 
heart loyal as steel, and soul on fire with patriotic yearnings 
to do something for her country, and who has now given her 
life; and so on through a package of twenty, thirty and 
sometimes forty letters. 

Now commences the task of replying to these multitu- 
dinous epistles; a work which is interrupted every five 
minutes by some new comer. A venerable, white-haired 
man, enters. He has been here before, and we immediately 
recognize him. "Have you heard from my son in Van 
Buren Hospital, at Milliken's Bend ? " " Not yet, sir ; you 
know it is only nine days since I wrote to inquire for him. 
I will telegraph, if you are not able to wait for a letter." 
" No matter," and the old man's lip quivers, his figure trem- 
bles visibly, his eyes fill with tears, he chokes, and can say 
no more. We understand it all ; our heart warms towards 
him, for oz^r father, a thousand miles away, is like him, white- 



BROKEN-HEARTED FATHER — LITTLE MESSENGER-BOY. 213 

haired, and feeble. We rise and offer our hand. The old 
man's closes convulsively upon it, he leans his head against 
the iron pillar near our desk, and his tears drip, drip, 
steadily on the hand he holds. 

" He has only gone a little before you," we venture to 
say ; " it is but a short distance from you to him now." 

" Yes," added the broken-hearted father, " and he gave his 
life for a good cause ; a cause worthy of it, if he had been a 
thousand times dearer to me than he was." 

" And your boy's mother — how does she bear this grief? " 

He shakes his head, and again the tears drij), drip, on the 
hand he still retained. 

" She'll see him before 1 do ; this will kill her ! " 

What shall assuage the .sorrow of these aged parents, bereft 
of the son of their old age, by the cruel war that slavery has 
invoked ? Sympathy, tears, comfort are proffered the aching 
heart, and after a little, the sorrowing father turns again to 
his desolate home. 

A childish figure drags itself into the room, shuffles heavily 
along, sinks into a chair, and offers a letter. What ails the 
little fellow, whose face is so bright and beautiful, and yet so 
tinged with sadness ? We open the letter and read. He is 
a messenger-boy from Admiral Porter's gunboats, who is 
sent home with the Admiral's written request that the child 
be properly taken care of. Not yet thirteen years old, and 
yet he has been in battles, and has run the gauntlet of the 
Vicksburg batteries, which for ten miles belched forth red- 
hot and steel-pointed shot and shell, which yet failed to 
sink the invulnerable iron-clads. Fever, too much medi- 
cine, neglect and exposure, have done their worst for the 



244 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

little fellow, who has come Korth, homeless and friendless, 
with the left side paralyzed. He is taken to the exquisite 
care and tenderness of the " Soldiers' Home " for the present. 

Who next? A bevy of nurses enter, bearing carpet-bags, 
shawls, and bundles. We have telegraphed them that the 
hospitals at Memphis need them, and straightway they have 
girded themselves to the work. One is a widow, whose hus- 
band fell at Shiloh ; another is the wife of a lieutenant at 
Yicksburg ; a third lost her brother at Chancellorsville, and 
almost hopes, through the work of the hospital, to find the 
portal of the happy land where he has vanished. They re- 
ceive their instructions, commissions, and transportation, and 
hurry onward. God guide you ! brave, noble little women. 

Ah ! that white, anxious face, whiter than ever, is again 
framed in the doorway. Is there this time no escape from 
it? One, two, three, four days she has haunted these rooms, 
waiting the answer to the telegram dispatched to Gettysburg, 
where her darling only boy was wounded, ten days ago. 
The answer to the telegram is in our pocket — but how shall 
we repeat its stern message to the white-faced, sorrow -stricken 
mother? We leave our desk and involuntarily bustle about, 
as if in search of something, for we cannot tell her. There 
is no need — the morning papers have revealed her desolation 
to her, and she has only come to secure the help of the Coni- 
mission in obtaining possession of the remains of her dead. 
There are no tears, no words of grief, only a still agony, a 
repressed anguish, which it is painful to witness. All that 
can be done is freely accorded her, and bowing and staggering 
under her heavy affliction, she goes forth on her sacred 
pilgrimage to recover her dead. Alas ! how many thousand 



CLOSE OF DAY AT SAN. ROOMS. 245 

mothers are, at this hour, refusing to be comforted because 
their children are not ! 

Soldiers from the city hospitals next visit us, to beg a 
shirt, a pair of slippers, a comb or a pincushion, and to talk 
of their sufferings and privations, and their anxiety to get 
well and join their regiments. They are praised heartily, 
petted in the most motherly fashion, and sent back altogether 
lighter-hearted than when they came. And so the day wears 
away. More loaded drays drive up to the door and disburse 
barrels of crackers, ale, pickles, sour-krout and potatoes, and 
boxes of shirts, drawers, condensed milk, and beef, etc., 
which are speedily sent en route for the hospitals. Men and 
women come and go — to visit, to make inquiries, to ask 
favors, to offer services, to utter complaints, bring news from 
Vicksburg, Memphis, Murfreesboro, or Nashville hospitals, 
to make donations of money, to retail their sorrows, and 
sometimes to idle away an hour in the midst of the writing, 
packing, mailing, and hurrj-ing of this busy place. 

The sun declines westward, its fervent heat is abating, 
the hands of the clock point to five or six, and sometimes 
seven ; and wearied in body and saturated mentally with the 
passing streams of others' sorrows, we again hail the street 
car, which takes us back once more to our pleasant home, 
with its cheerful companionship, and the prattle and merri- 
ment and thoughtless gaiety of children. Five days of the 
seven, when not visiting some of the numerous auxiliaries of 
the Commission, scattered all over the North-West, we spend 
in these rooms, amid scenes like those we have described. 

We have given you a "Peep into the boxes," a ''Daj^ at the 



24:6 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

rooms of the Commission," and will now unfold the chapter 
of sacrifice and labor that filled these boxes and packages, 
till thej reached nearly 70,000 in number, from a single 
branch of the great organization, to which we were tribu- 
tary, — the United States Sanitary Commission. This revela- 
tion of fertile invention, determined patriotism and unflag- 
ging zeal, is so pertinent and graphic, in a sketch from the 
pen of Mrs. Livermore, that I rejoice to be able, through 
her generosity, to introduce it. 

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY. 

In nothing is this more strikingly exemplified, than in the 
history of the cause of hospital relief. While indolence, sel- 
fishness and disloyalty,, intrench themselves behind frivolous 
excuses, to shield them from doing their duty towards our 
sick and wounded soldiers, the generous, active and patriotic 
are fertile in inventions to obtain means for their relief, and 
glory in labors and sacrifices that carry comfort and plenty 
to the hospitals. 

Some two or three months ago, a poor girl, a seamstress, 
came to the rooms of the " Chicago Sanitary Commission." 

" I do not feel right," she said, "that I am doing nothing 
for our soldiers in the hospitals, and am resolved to do some- 
thing immediately. Which do you prefer, that I should give 
money, or buy material and manufacture into garments ? " 

"You must be guided by your circumstances," was the 
answer made her; " we need both money and supplies, and 
you must do that which is most convenient for you." 

" I prefer to give money, if it will do as much good." 

""Very well, then, give money, which we need badlj^, and 



DONATIONS TO SAN.'COMM. 247 

without wliich, we cannot do what is most necessary for our 
brave sick men." 

" Then I will donate to you the entire earnings of the next 
two weeks. I'd give more, but I have to help support my 
mother, who is an invalid. Generally, I make but one vest 
a day, but I will work earlier and later the next two weeks." 

In two weeks she came again, the poor sewing-girl, her face 
radiant with the consciousness of philanthropic intent. Open- 
ing her porte-monnaie, she counted out — how much do you 
think, readers ? Nineteen dollars and thirty-seven cents ! Every 
penny was earned by the slow needle, and she had stitched 
away into the hours of midnight, on every one of the working- 
days of the week. We call that an instance of patriotism 
married to generosity. 

Some farmers' wives in the north of AVisconsin, eighteen 
miles from a railroad, had donated to the Commission of 
their bed and table-linen, their husbands' shirts and drawers, 
till they had exhausted their ability to do more in this direc- 
tion. Still they could not be satisfied, so they cast about to 
see what could be done in another way. They were all the 
wives of small farmers, lately moved to the West, living all in 
log-cabins, where one room suflficed for kitchen, parlor, laun- 
dry, nursery, and bed-room, doing their own house-work, sew- 
ing, baby-tending, dairy-work, and all. What could they do? 

They were not long in devising a way to gratify their 
motherly and patriotic hearts, and instantly set about carry- 
ing it into action. They resolved to beg wheat of the 
neighboring farmers and turn it into money. Sometimes on 
foot, sometimes with a team, amid the snows and mud of 
early spring, they canvassed the country for twenty and 



2-i8 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

twenty-five miles around, everywhere eloquently pleading 
the needs of the blue-coated soldier-boys in the hospitals, 
their eloquence everywhere acting as an open sesame to the 
granaries. Now they obtained a little from a rich man, and 
a great deal from a poor man — deeds of benevolence are half 
the time in an inverse ratio to the ability of the benefactors 
— till they had accumulated nearly five hundred bushels of 
wheat. This they sent to market, obtained the highest 
market price for it, and forwarded the proceeds to the Com- 
mission. As we held this hard-earned money in our hands, 
we felt that it was consecrated — that the holy purpose of these 
noble women had imparted almost a sacredness to it. 

A little girl, not nine years old, with sweet and timid 
grace, came into the rooms of the Commission, and laying a 
five-dollar gold-piece on our desk, half frightened, told us its 
history. " My uncle gave me that before the war, and I was 
going to keep it always; but he's got killed in the army, and 
mother says I may give it to the soldiers if I want to — and 
I'd like to do so. I don't suppose it will buy much for them, 
will it?" 

We led the child to the store-room, and proceeded to show 
her how valuable her gift was, by pointing out what it would 
buy — so many cans of condensed milk, or so many bottles 
of ale, or pounds of tea, or codfish, etc. Her face brightened 
with pleasure. But when we explained that her five-dollar 
gold-piece was equal to seven dollars and a half in green- 
backs, and told her how much comfort we had been able to' 
carry into a hospital with as small an amount of stores as 
that sum would purchase, she fairlj'- danced for joy. " Oh, 
it will do lots of good, won't it ? " and folding her hands 



STORY OF THE MATCH-BOY 's DONATION. 249 

before her she begged, in her charmingly earnest way, 
" Please tell me something that you've seen in the hospitals." 
A narration of a few touching events, not such as would too 
severely shock the little creature, but which plainly showed 
the necessity of continued benevolence to the hospitals, fill(.d 
her sweet eyes with tears, and drew from her the resolution 
"to save all her monej^, and to get all the girls to do so, to 
buy things for the wounded soldiers." And away she flew, 
revelling in the luxury of doing good, and happy in the 
formation of a good resolution. 

A ragged little urchin, who thrusts his unkempt pate 
daily into the rooms, with the shrill cry, "Matches! 
matches ! " had stood watching the little girl and listening 
to the talk. As she disappeared he fumbled in his ragged 
pocket and drew out a small handful of crumpled and soiled 
paper currency. " Here," said he, " I'll give you so much 
for them ere sick fellows in the hospitals," and he put fifty- 
five cents into our hand, all in five-cent currency. We hesi- 
tated. " No, my boy, don't give it. You're a noble little fel- 
low, but I'm afraid you can't afibrd to give so much. You 
keep it and I'll give the fifty-five cents, or somebody else 
will." " Oh, no," he replied, " you keep it. P'raps I ain't so 
poor as you think. My father, he saws wood, and my 
mother, she takes in washin', and I sells matches — and 
p'raps we've got more money than you think. Keep it;" 
and he turned his dirty, earnest face to us with a most 
beseeching look — " Keep it, do." 

We took the crumpled currency — we forgot the dirty face 
and tattered cap — we forgot we had called the little scamp a 
" nuisance " every day for months, when he had fairly made 



250 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

US jump from our seat with his shrill, unexpected cry of 
" Matches ! matches ! " and made a dive at him to kiss him. 
But he was too quick for us, and darted out of the room as 
if he had been shot. Ever since, when he meets us, he gives 
us a wide berth, and walks off the sidewalk into the gutter, 
eying us with a suspicious, sidelong glance, as though he sus- 
pected we still meditated kissing intentions towards him. If 
we speak to him he looks at us shyly, and offers no reply ; 
but if we pass him without speaking, he challenges us with a 
hearty " Hallo, you ! " that brings us to a halt instantly. 

Had we space, we might continue similar narratives 
through pages. All who would, could do something for our 
poor boys in hospitals. If it were little, " many a mickle 
makes a muckle," and if it were much, it brought the bless- 
ing of many ready to perish on the donor. But all could do 
SOMETHING. " Where there's a will there's a way." 

The most significant, and perhaps assuredly the most 
novel, chapter in the history of woman's patriotism, was 
furnished by the manual labor and hond fide muscular 
achievements of the wives and daughters of North-Western 
farmers, to release their husbands for army service, and 
keep the wheels of home machinery in motion, without 
disastrous friction or rupture. We have heretofore alluded 
to this new and strange manifestation, and gratefully accept a 
pen-picture of this phase of prairie iuoma?i's life, from Mrs. 
Livermore, who has placed it at our service. 

WOMAN IN THE HARVEST-FIELD. 

During the war we were called much into the country. 
Throughout the harvest we visited, more or less, the great 



WOMEN IN THE HARVEST-FIELD. 251 

farming districts of our beautiful prairie-land, and saw for 
ourselves how busy a time the harvest season was to farmers. 
It seemed to us, as we rushed along the railroad, for forty, 
sixty, or a hundred, or a hundred and fifty miles, let our 
course lie in whatever direction it might, that our way always 
led through one continuous wheat-field. Everywhere the 
golden grain was waving ; and the two-horse reapers cutting 
it down in a wholesale fashion, that would astonish a New 
England farmer, could be counted by hundreds in a ride of 
half a-dozen hours. The crops were generally good, and 
in some instances heavy, and every man and boy was 
pressed into the service to secure an abundant harvest. 

More than this, we found women extensively in the field, 
driving the reapers and binding, shocking and loading grain 
— an unusual sight to our eyes. At first we were displeased 
with it, and turned away, in aversion. But by-and-by, we 
came to observe how skilfully they drove the horses around 
and around the wheat-field, diminishing more and more its 
periphery at every circuit, the glittering blades of the reaper, 
cutting wide swaths with a crisp, craunching sound, that it 
was pleasant to hear. Then also we saw that when they 
followed the reapers, binding and shocking, although they 
did not keep up with the men, yet their work was done 
with more precision and nicety, and the sheaves had an 
artistic finish that the others lacked. So we said to ourself, 
"they are worthy women, and deserve praise; their hus- 
bands are probably too poor to hire help, and so, like the 
helpmeets that God designed them to be, they have girt 
themselves to d6 the work of men, and are doing it, famous- 
ly. Good wives ! Good women ! " 



252 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Sometimes in our journeys, our route led us off from the 
railroad, across the country, six, ten and twenty miles — and 
always and ever, through the same yellow fields of grain, 
andgreen waving corn. Now a river shimmered like silver 
through the gold of the wheat and oats, and now a fine 
growth of young timber made a dark green background for 
the harvest fields. And here, as everywhere, in greater or 
less numbers, women were busy at the harvesting. On one 
occasion the carriage came to a halt opposite a field where 
some half-dozen women were harvesting with two men, and 
not a little curious to know what these female reapers were 
like, we walked over and accosted them. 

"And so you are helping to gather the harvest," we said 
to a woman of forty-five, who sat on the reaper to drive, as 
she stopped her horses for a brief rest. Her face was pleasant 
and comely, although sunburned, with honest, straightfor- 
ward eyes, a broad brow, and mouth of more sweetness than 
firmness. Her dress, a strong calico, without hoops, strong 
shoes, and a shaker." 

"Yes, ma'am," she said; "the men have all gone to the 
war, so that my man can't hire help, and 1 told my girls we 
must turn to and give him a lift with the harvestin'." 

" Have you sons in the army ? " 

" Yes, ma'am," and a shadow fell over the motherly face; 
" all three of 'em listed, and Neddy, the youngest, was killed 
at Stone Eiver, the last day of last year. We've money 
enough to hire help, if it could be had, and my man don't 
like for me and the girls to be workin' out o' doors ; but 
there don't seem no help for it now." 

We stepped over to where the girls were binding the fallen 



WOMEN IN THE HARVEST-FIELDS. 253 

grain. They were fine lasses, "with the eyes and honest 
mouth of the mother, but brown like her, and clad in the 
same sensible costume. 

'* "Well, it seems that you, like your mother, are not afraid 
to lend a hand to the harvesting." 

"No; we're "willing to help out doors in these times. My 
three brothers went into the army, and my cousins and most 
of the men we used to hire ; so that there's no help to be got 
but women's, and the crops must be got in, you know, all the 
same." 

"I tell mother," said one of the girls, "as long as the 
country can't get along without grain, nor the army fight 
without food, that we were serving Ihe country just as much 
here in the harvest-field as our boys are in the battle-field, 
and that sort o' takes the edge off from this business of doing 
men's work, you know ; " and a hearty laugh followed this 
statement. 

Another was the wife of one of the soldier-sons, with a 
three-year-old boy toddling beside her, tumbling among the 
sheaves, getting into mischief every five minutes, and " caus- 
ing more plague than profit," as his mother declared. From 
her came the same hearty assent to this new work, which the 
strait of the country had imposed upon her, and she added, 
with a kind of homely pride, that she was considered " as good 
a binder as a man, and could keep up with the best of 'em. I, 
for my part," she continued, "am willing to do anything to 
keep along in these war times." 

We would have talked longer with these women, who 
were now invested with a new and heroic interest, but the 
driver calling out that he had mended the broken harness, 



254 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and was ready to go on, we could onl}^ assure them " that 
they were worthy of the days of the Revolution, and that we 
were proud to have met them," and bade them "good-by." 

Now we saw things with different ej'-es. No longer were 
the women of the harvest-field an unwelcome sight. Patriot- 
ism inspired them to the unusual work, and each brown, 
hard-handed, toiling woman was a heroine. Their husbands 
and sons had left the plough in the furrow, and the reaper in 
the grain, at the anguished call of the country, and these 
noble women had joyfully bid them "God-speed," and with- 
out weak murmuring or complaint, had put their own shoul- 
ders to the hard, rough farm-work, feeling that thus they also 
served the common cause. Yes, and amid all this weary 
labor, these women found time for the manufacture of hospi- 
tal supplies, which came, box after box, filled with shirts 
and drawers, dried apples and pickles, currant wine and 
blackberry jam, to be forwarded to the poor fellows languish- 
ing in far-off Southern hospitals. ^1 honor to the farmers' 
wives of the great North-West ! " Many women have done 
excellently well, but these excelled them all." 

At the first call, after the pressure consequent upon severe 
army sickness at Young's Point, Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. 
Colt, at the request of the Sanitary Commission, visited the 
army, which had been driven by the swelling flood from the 
levee at Young's Point to the transports, and thence to Milli- 
ken's Bend, where it lay encamped at the time. This valua- 
ble contribution consists of a series of letters, written by 
Mrs, Livermore from the scene of action. While these com- 
plete the chain of our military and sanitary work at that 
period, they furnish gratifying and abundant evidence of the 



SCURVY IN THE ARMY.- 255 

success of the battle waged with the insidious army foe by 
various sanitary organizations throughout the ^^estern and 
North-Western States. 

On Board Steamer "Curlew," going down the Mississippi River, 

Saturday, March 14, 1852. 

Dear : — The wail of suffering from our brave men in 

front of Vicksburg, has been borne to the listening ears and 
tender hearts of the great North-West. The death which they 
looked for on Southern battle-fields, and to which they proudly 
hurled defiance, lay crouched unaware- in the bottom-lands 
of the Mississippi, where their white tents had spread shel- 
tering wings, and lurked in the clear water of the deadly 
Yazoo, and has sprung upon them like a tiger. Before they 
had learned of their danger, long trenches were filled with 
the uncoffined dead, and the quickly extemporized hospitals 
were crowded with the wasted forms and wan faces of our 
gallant North- Westerns, who patiently exhaled their lives on 
a fever-smitten air, or lingered in an agony worse than death. 
Simultaneously the West and the North- West have hastened 
to the rescue ; Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago, Milwaukee 
and St. Louis, moved by a common patriotism and benevo- 
lence, have sent to their relief the aid and succor necessary 
to conquer this insidious miasmatic foe, and to restore the sick 
to health. Wives and mothers have brought forth canned 
fruit, jellies and cooling syrups from their store closets, and 
shirts, drawers and sheets from their linen-presses. Farmers 
have unburied their vegetables, secured from the winter 
frosts, and barreled up potatoes, onions and pickled cab- 
bage for the poor scorbutics, and everybody has poured 
forth money for the purchase of farina, cornstarch, lemons, 



256 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

oranges, pearl-barley, tea, sugar, stimulants, condensed milk 
and the otoer necessaries of life to the hospital patients. 

Nor has the work stopped here. Delegations of men 
and women, strong and skilled and tender, have accom- 
panied these contributions. Surgeons and physicians who 
have grown gray in their successful fight with sickness and 
death, men of large executive ability, skilful in planning 
the transmission and distribution of the continual shipments 
of stores, women who have become familiarized with the 
horrors of hospitals, and whose mother hearts do not 
blench from them — these have been delegated as a corps 
of relief in this holy work ; and so successfully have 
they labored, that already, death and disease have been 
beaten back, and our men are slowly emerging from the 
hospital to the battle-field, to them a welcome transition. 

Still the work of relieving the sick of the Mississippi fleet 
goes bravely on. Twice, since January, have the Chicago 
Commission sent down to the sick in hospitals and on trans- 
ports, in front of Vicksburg, immense quantities of supplies, 
with nurses and agents to disburse tliem, and there is now 
floating down the Mississippi, on the steamer " Curlew," a 
third shipment and a third delegation, bound on the same 
errand and to the same destination, and I have been privi- 
leged to be one of the delegation. 

We left Chicago, Tuesday evening, March 10. The 
notable persons of the party are Surgeon-Gen. Wolcott, of 
Wisconsin — so noble a man that all who know him wish 
he might be multiplied a hundred-fold; Quartermaster-Gen. 
Treadway, of the same State; and Hon. A. G. Throop, a 
loyal member of the Illinois Legislature. There were also 



OVERFLOW OF MISSISSIPPI. 257 

in our party female nurses, and women as true, tender and 
competent as the sun ever sbone on, but they are not " nota- 
able," as the world goes, and would be affrighted to see their 
names in print. The soldiers will carry their names in their 
grateful hearts into eternity, and that is glory enough. 
Between four and five hundred boxes, to be largely re- 
enforced at Memphis, labelled Chicago Sanitary Commis- 
sion, all packed with every variety of hospital supplies, were 
committed to us for disbursement among the sick in front of 
Vicksburg, and we started on our sacred mission. 

As we approached Cairo, we found that the Mississippi 
was indeed " on the rampage." For eight or ten miles back, 
the country was completely submerged, and we crept along at 
a snail's pace. As we entered the nondescript town, where 
one needs a "dug-out" most of the year to navigate the 
streets, we found the steam-pumps at work, for the water 
had so invaded the place, hollowed out like a wash-basin, 
that there was danger of inundation. When the water of 
the town rises above a certain permitted height, it is pumped 
out, as from the hold of a vessel. Here, in consequence of 
the difficulty of obtaining transportation for our hundreds of 
packages, we were detained twenty-four hours. 

While regretting the delay we were so fortunate as to run 
across James E. Yeatman, Esq., President of the Western 
Sanitary Commission, St. Louis, who was on his return 
route from Yicksburg, where he had been laboring for the 
last six or eight weeks. From him we gathered much infor- 
mation. The fearful and deathly sickness among our troops 
was abating when he left, the camps were becoming drv, 

hospital stores more abundant, and officers more considerate 

17 



258 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of the health of their men. Drinking the seapage water is 
said to have caused more sickness among our troops than the 
protracted rains, mud, high water, exposure and neglect of 
officers all combined — and orders forbidding this have been 
issued in some sections, and soon will be in all. 

As soon as our men get on shore, out of the transports 
into camp, their first effort is to devise ways and means to 
obtain drinking water, without going to the Mississippi for 
it, which is not unfrequently some little distance from the 
camp. So they dig a well and sink a barrel, which is instant- 
ly half filled with water clear as crystal, beautiful to look at, 
and delicious to taste. This is called seapage water, but to 
drink it is death to either man or beast. It percolates through 
the decayed vegetable matter of the swamps and bottom- 
lands, and in the present instance is rendered more poisonous 
by the infiltrating of the water from the encampments above. 
A negro on the plantations in the neighborhood who is 
detected drinking seapage water, is whipped more severely 
than for any other misdemeanor. Gen. Sherman has 
already learned its deleterious consequences, and has or-^ 
dered any captain put under arrest who allows his men to 
drink it. 

We came on board the " Curlew" on Thursday evening 
about eight o'clock, having been assured by the captain that 
she would start punctually at ten. Then the time was post- 
poned till midnight; then deferred till the arrival of the 
morning train from Chicago, as some of the boat's crew were 
said to be coming on that train ; then until after breakfast, 
when the rudder collided with that of another boat, which, 
of course, broke it, and it must needs be repaired, and after- 



SEARCH OF BAGGAGE AT ISLAND NO. 10. 259 

noon found ns still hugging the levee at Cairo, as though 
loth to leave the hideous place. But at last we got off, and 
steamed slowly down to Columbus, Kentucky, where more 
freight was piled on the already overladen, crowded and 
unsafe little craft, and a barge of hay made fast to her, to be 
towed down the river. Those of us whose thoughts are on 
the sick soldiers ran ashore for a brief visit to the hospital, 
whose appearance was passably tidy and comfortable. 

About midnight, I think, all the passengers on board had 
a new experience and a new sensation. We touched at 
Island No. 10, and were boarded by naval officers from an 
adjoining gunboat, who ordered all state-rooms unlocked, 
and proceeded to examine trunks, valises, baskets, carpet- 
bags, etc., pulling beds to pieces in the search ; looking 
under berths and indulging similar quizzical vagaries. The 
search of all boats going down the river is ordered by Uncle 
Sam, who, with all reverence be it written, has a penchant 
for " saving at the spigot and wasting at the bung-hole,"' or, 
in the words of holy writ, for " straining at a gnat and swal- 
lowing a camel," A contraband trade in cotton has been 
carried on for months, supplying the rebels with the sinews 
of war, and is not yet wholly suppressed. This, however, is 
winked at, or timidly forbidden, the trade flourishes when 
it might be suppressed ; but the trunks of loyal men and 
women must be overhauled for quinine and morphine, cot- 
ton cloth in the piece, and medicines in the package, which 
.are rarely found. 

The examining officers on this occasion were by no means 
formidable in appearance, notwithstanding the naval tog- 
gery with which they were accoutred, with fearful append- 



260 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ages of "sword and pistol by the side." Eanged along the 
saloon was a body of marines, sooty and grimy, armed with 
cutlasses, which they brandished as though about to depose 
our heads from our shoulders, and endeavoring to look 
very fierce at the bj'standers, who stared in wonderment. 
No words of mine can do justice to the manner of the search. 
The principal officer was a beardless youth of eighteen or 
twenty, quite small when measured by feet and inches, but 
huge, colossal, yes, a very Hercules, if taken at his own esti- 
mation. Approaching a state-room, where a feeble lady had 
retired for the night, he gave a thunderous blow, as though 
summoning a giant to the door of his castle; and when the 
poor woman delayed to dress as became decency, he twice 
repeated the insolent summons, and in the most lordly way 
ordered her to "make haste and come out of that," The 
ladies' baggage seemed specially obnoxious to these naval 
gentlemen. Plunging to the bottom of the nicely-packed 
trunks, they squeezed in a crushed heap immaculate collars 
and tasteful head-dresses, under-sleeves, under-clothing and 
all, kneading the whole in a heterogeneous mass, as though 
mixing bread ; and when the work was over, the trunks 
looked, as one of the ladies remarked, as though " stirred up 
with a big spoon." To the search none objected, if the 
Government had ordered it ; but the manner in which it was 
conducted, and the arrogant airs put on by these boys, born 
into the volunteer navy not six months ago, made at least 
one woman indignant. Your correspondent spoke so con- 
temptuously of the whole farcical performance, that one of 
those ungentlemanly boys pronounced her a secesh, but as he 
left her trunk alone, of all the others, unlocked, and un- 



MEMPHIS HOSPITALS. 261 

searclied and unexamined, I very much question whether he 
believed his own assertion. 

Our sail down the Mississippi would be very delightful, 
if we were not in such anxious haste that our slow progress 
almost throws us into a nervous fever. Forty-eight hours 
from Cairo to Memphis, when the trip is usually made in 
twenty-four! The boat is very slow, and moves "like a sick 
man in his sleep, three paces, then falters," stopping at every 
landing to take on or off freight or passengers. The weather 
is evidently on its best behavior, for the sky is cloudless, and 
the air as soft as in June. The river is all over its banks, 
submerging the country adjacent, and making its width 
magnificent. The captain tells us this is a decided advan- 
tage, particularly now that we are approaching Memphis. 
The boat keeps very nearly the centre of the stream, and 
there are but few places along the route where cannon could 
be planted. 

Memphis, Sunday, March 15. 

We have at last reached the city of Memphis, and taken 
rooms at the Gayoso House, which has the reputation of be- 
ing stylish, secesh, and not very comfortable. As soon as 
possible we shall proceed to Vicksburg, but during our stay 
here I will write of this city, with its dozen hospitals, filled 
with our northern boys. 

Gayoso House, Memphis, Tenn., March, 1863. 

Dear : — We have spent some days in Memphis, 

which have been employed to the utmost. It has been 
no easy thing to find transportation down the river for our 
stores and ourselves; and, indeed, up to the present time, 



262 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

but one boat has left for Vicksburg since our arrival, A 
strict military surveillance is kept over all boats going down 
the river, and no one is allowed to leave without a pass from 
Gen. Hurlbut, who is in command here. But at last all 
difficulties are surmounted, passes are made out, state-rooms 
are engaged on the dispatch boat " Tigress," our four hun- 
dred and eighty boxes of supplies are shipped, and a guard 
placed over them to keep them from thieves, and at six 
o'clock this evening we are off. In the interim, while resting 
and waiting, let me tell you what I have seen in Memphis. 

The hospitals have claimed our chief attention. There are 
eleven of them, and they contain about five thousand patients. 
Others are being fitted up. They occupy magnificent build- 
ings, spacious brick blocks, confiscated hotels, and similar 
edifices. Their general management is fair, and is constantly 
improving, and the rate of mortality in them is much less 
than has been represented. In these particulars I confess 
myself happily disappointed. The terrible rumors that have 
reached us, of the shocking condition of the hospitals in 
Memphis, their neglected and uncared for state, and the 
frightful number of deaths occurring in them daily, are, I 
am glad to say, devoid of truth. There is fair order and 
medical attendance, female nursing, cleanliness, humanity 
and tenderness, evident in many of the wards. We (Mrs. 
Colt, of Milwaukee, and myself) have passed through nearly 
every ward of them all, have conversed with hundreds of the 
patients, and with most of the matrons and nurses. 

The "Overton Hospital" is a magnificent building, de- 
signed for a hotel, but never occupied as such. The Yan- 
kees interfered with the plans of the proprietors by entering 



GAYOSO BLOCK HOSPITAL. 263 

the city sans ceremonie, and appropriating it for hospital 
work. The Sisters of Mercy, nine in number, are the nurses, 
and are faithful, gentle and tender. It is perhaps the pleas- 
antest hospital of them all, in its general appearance, within 
and without. Most of the patients are convalescing, and 
all seem contented and happy. 

The " Gayoso Hospital " has for its matron " Mother Bick- 
erdyke," as all the soldiers call her — a woman of amazing 
energ}?-, full of maternal tenderness to the sick and wounded 
soldiers, and nursing them through the depths of neglect, 
squalor, destitution and disease. But woe to him who steps 
between her and her charge, or infringes on the rights or 
privileges of her sick boys, or who is guilty of fraud or 
neglect of them — he is sure to be ground to powder. On 
all such, and on all drunken, incompetent and neglectful hos- 
pital officials, she comes down with sledge-hammer force, 
never remitting her hostility till they are beaten out of the 
service, or into decent manhood. She is a very unique 
person — a rara avis — sometimes a very Alecto, while many 
a one has found her a very Nemesis. Soldiers love her like 
a mother — most of the officers fight shy of her, and for 
good reasons. At a certain hospital where she was 
matron, the medical director gave orders for the dismissal of 
all contrabands employed about the hospital — an order 
emanating, as she believed, from petty spite, since every con- 
traband employed saves a convalescent soldier to the service 
of the government. " Mother Bickerdyke " went immedi- 
ately to the headquarters of the commanding general, 
although it was nearly midnight, and obtained a written 
order to employ ^s many contrabands as she needed in the 



264 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

hospital service, and the medical director had to succumb. 
Of course, such a woman must make enemies, but that does 
not trouble her. Her hospital is the most homelike, cheerful 
and comfortable in Memphis, and it turns out weekly twice as 
many convalescents as any. other. 

All the other hospitals have Protestant female nurses, 
with the exception of the "Jackson," where all women are, 
excluded from every department except the linen room, 
over which an Irish woman presides. It is a responsible 
position, and requires more executive ability and faithfulness 
than she manifests. This hospital seems to us comfortless 
and dreary. 

The Officers' Hospital is greatly lacking in comfort. Gov- 
ernment makes no provision for the care of officers when 
they are sick, beyond furnishing them their medicines. For 
everything besides they must pay from their own private purse, 
their salaries being sufficiently liberal to enable them to take 
care of themselves. Theoretically this is very well, but as 
they receive their pay at irregular intervals, and as many of 
them are much of the time as moneyless as the poorest 
privates, the practical working of this plan subjects them to 
great inconvenience. Between two stools they fall to the 
ground. Government does not take care of them in sick- 
ness, nor does it provide them with the means of taking care 
of themselves ; and so it happens the Officers' Hospital in 
Memphis is more badly cared for than any in the city. 
They have the use of a confiscated building, ^nd have re- 
ceived from some source hospital bedsteads and army cots, 
but at the present time they are without other furniture, with- 
out bedding, shirts, drawers and other sanitary delicacies. 



officers' hospital at MEMPHIS. 265 

There were over one hundred officers in the wards, mostly 
fine-looking men, possessed of more or less culture, and 
almost all of them showing marked superiority. But in 
their home-sickness and disability the privates have turned 
the tables on them with a vengeance ; and while good hospi- 
tal food, clothing and nursing is provided by the Government 
for the latter, the former shift as they can. Every officer in 
the hospital pays five dollars per week for his board, or is to 
do so at some future time, and from this pittance everything 
needful is to be furnished, or they must go without. It was 
pitiable to see their poverty and shabby condition, and grand 
to witness their patience, and to hear their expressions of 
pleasure that their "boys" fared better. This hospital fur- 
nishes a field for the labors of the Sanitary Commission, 
which I rejoice to say they are hastening to occupy. This 
noble organization extends the hand of relief to all sick or 
wounded soldiers, be they officers or privates, in th.e army or 
navy. 

I wish every person in the North-West who doubts if the 
supplies of clothing and delicacies sent by the various aid 
societies through the Sanitary Commission, could see what I 
have seen these last few days. The beds give mute, but 
unquestionable denial to these doubts, as do the shirts on the 
backs of the patients, and the napkins and towels used about 
them. Nearly every article bears the stamp of the Commis- 
sion or of an aid society. In nearly every hospital I have 
seen canned fruits or berries opened and dispensed to those 
needing them, by the matrons or nurses in attendance ; eggs 
cooked in various delicate ways, toast with the dip made of 
condensed milk, delicious cocoa made of the prepared article, 



266 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and various other articles of sanitary diet, which many at 
home persistently deny are ever found in our military hos- 
pitals. To tell the truth, there is a vast deal of falsifying 
about hospital matters ; and any person returning from the 
hospitals, who does not serve concentrated horrors to a hun- 
gry public, and unfold deeds of cruelty and barbarism on 
the part of surgeons and nurses in the hospitals, that by 
comparison render ISTena Sahib a very tender-hearted person, 
is unanimously voted a fool, or " slow." To attract attention 
one must, on returning from the seat of war, deal in horrors 
by the wholesale ; and I confess that some of our party are 
beginning to feel a little nervous that they have as yet been 
able to spy out so few fearful things to report. At times, 
when some fell epidemic swoops down upon our troops, 
cooped for a month on transports, and poisoned by the deadly 
malaria of these south-western swamps and rivers, or imme- 
diately after some great battle, when the dead, dying and 
wounded are huddled in promiscuous heaps, and cannot 
receive the attention they need, there is for a time great and 
unrelieved suffering ; but these are not every-day occurrences, 
even in time of war. Of course there are discomforts, and 
until the raw troops get hardened to campaign life there is 
much suffering and sickness that is inevitable, which, in 
the case of our troops, is aggravated by disregard of disci- 
pline, and neglect of officers ; but the extreme sensation 
stories that reach friends at home, should, as a general rule, 
be received at a great discount. Of two things I am certain 
— the sick of the army, especially in general hospitals, are 
better cared for than is generally believed, and the gifts of 
the country to the sick, sent through the Sanitary Commis- 



A YOUKG SOLDIER NURSING HIS DYING BROTHER. 2G7 

sion, reach those for whom they are intended with a very- 
small percentage of waste, loss or perversion. 

In passing through the hospitals, I met with very many 
interesting incidents. A tremulous voice would pronounce 
my name, and as I advanced to the bed from which, it pro- 
ceeded, emaciated hands would be outstretched to me, and a 
gush of tears would welcome me. I have been unable to 
recognize former acquaintances in the thin wan faces of those 
who have recognized me, even when in two instances they 
were my former near neighbors and friends. Sometimes my 
name would be pronounced by the attendants, and the pale 
face of a patient would glow with pleasure as he would in- 
form me he was acquainted with my husband, and had been 
an attendant on his widely-extended pulpit ministrations. In 
one hospital, a young man of seventeen, a mere boy, sat by 
the head of a cot where his older brother was dying. He 
was himself hardly convalescent from typhoid fever, and was 
convulsed with grief at his bereavement. To him the con- 
vulsive throes of the dying brother were indicative of agony, 
and it was not possible to convince him to the contrary, or 
to comfort him. " My father and mother have never lost a 
child before," said the poor lad, with streaming eyes, " and it 
will kill them to hear he is dead. And then he's got a wife 
that thinks everything of him, and a little girl a year and a 
half old. What will they do ? " I remained till the dying 
man had passed beyond the reach of human care and sym- 
pathy, and -was then compelled to leave the weeping survi- 
vor, who buried his face in his pillow, and vented his grief 
in sobs that shook his slight frame. 

In another hospital the younger brother was dying, and 



268 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the elder was watching him. The almost maternal care and 
solicitude of the elder brother was touching to witness. He 
restrained his grief, lest it should disturb the departing spirit 
of the one he loved ; and while his own heart was bursting, 
he spoke cheerfully and encouragingly to the dying boy, 
whom it was so hard to surrender to death. The lad, with 
large, hollow, beseeching e3''es, was pleading for his discharge. 
" If I could be discharged, and sent home to-morrow, it would 
cure me directly," was his assertion ; and his kind brother- 
nurse, moved to tears, answered him tenderly : " You are to 
be discharged ; it will come soon." The discharge could not 
have been long delayed, for the boy was already cold with 
approaching death when we left him. The wan faces of 
some flushed into warm smiles, others gave short hysterical 
laughs, which had tears in them, and others held our hands, 
and vented their gladness in broken, childish words. It 
was so long since they had seen their mothers, wives, and 
sisters at home, and our presence was such a forcible 
reminder of them, that we did not wonder at the emotion 
manifested by the pale, weak fellows. It is a sad thing to 
be sick away from home and kindred, and they who are 
plunged into hospitals by the rigors of camp life, and who 
patiently bear weeks of wasting fever and racking pain, 
nnsoothed by mother, wife or sister, are, I verily believe, 
greater heroes in the sight of God than those who boldly 
march to death at the cannon's mouth, and, in the frenzied 
excitement of the hour, fling life away. 

Mrs. Governor Harvey, whose home for the present is in 
Memphis, accompanied us on a visit to the 15th Illinois 
Volunteers. Since the sad death of her husband, who lost 



INCIDENTS OF HOSPITALS. 2G9 

liis life at Shiloh, she has devoted herself to the sick and 
wounded soldiers. The State of "Wisconsin claims her 
services especially for Wisconsin, but all feel the influence 
of her kind and sympathetic nature. Her life is passed in 
the hospitals, where she is indeed an angel of mercy. 



270 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Mrs. Livermore's trip from Young's Point to Lake Providence. — Visit 
to Mercantile Battery at Milliken's Bend. — Trip up the river to 
Cairo. — Contraband boy. — Refugee girl. 

Milliken's Bend, La., April, 1863. 
Dear : — We came up to Milliken's Bend on the dis- 
patch-boat '^ Fanny Ogden," becatise we were obliged to go 
where the boat was ordered. There are no hotels in this part 
of the world, no private boarding-houses outside of Vicks- 
burg, and these, just now, are not easily accessible to Northern 
travellers. There are only tents for those who live on shore, 
and boats for those who take to the river. It is a difficult 
matter to decide which is preferable of the two. If you take 
to the tents, your cuisine is out-doors, where rain, smoke and' 
ashes, saturate all the food ; you eat, drink and sleep in the 
mud, and are phlebotomized by the musquitoes; but you are 
sure of plenty of fresh, pure air. If 3^ou live on the boats, your 
kitchen is under cover, to be sure; you avoid the mud and 
musquitoes, but you furnish a nightly repast to insects more 
vulgar than musquitoes, one species of which infests alike 
both camps and boats in these war times, while "the rats 



TRANSPORTS ON MISSISSIPPI. 271 

and the mice,they make such a strife," that sleep comes not 
to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids, and the air is pes- 
tilential from the uncleanliness of the surroundings. Ugh ! 
Haven't we had lively times o' nights, on board the boats, 
and haven't we recently acquired a practical knowledge of 
the utility of finger-nails? Government has impressed all the 
boats on the river into its service, and has used them at vari- 
ous times for the transportation of troops and army stores, 
and it must be confessed that Uncle Sam has not shown 
himself a miraculously good steward. Stripped of carpets, 
mirrors, elegant furniture, toilet appurtenances, everything 
in the way of luxury, and I had almost said convenience, 
marred by the troops transported on them, broken and bat- 
tered in their repeated attempts to navigate unnavigable 
rivers and bayous, the pilot-houses battened with rough oak 
plank two and three feet thick, to protect the steersman from 
the muskets of the guerillas, neglected, befouled, and un- 
home-like, the boats on the Mississippi to-day bear little 
resemblance to the floating palaces of three years ago, when 
gorgeous with upholstery, and swarming with the fashion- 
able and gay, they drifted down the river with music and 
dancing, as though life were one prolonged gala-day. 

As the " Fanny Ogden " was " under orders," and would 
be running up and down the river for two or three days, on 
errands for General Grant, we determined to accept the 
invitation of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, encamped at 
Milliken's Bend, and try tent-life for a day or two. So we 
were put ashore at the landing, and, in the fading twilight, 
picked our way along the levee to their camp. What a 
hearty welcome was accorded us! What a chorus of cheer- 



272 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ful, manly, familiar voices proclaimed tlie gladness of the 
Battery at our arrival! Forth from every tent and "she- 
bang " swarmed a little host of the boys, all bronzed to the 
color of the Atlantic Montlily covers, to use one of their 
own comparisons, all extending eager hands, all hearty, 
healthy, and impatient to hear from home, and to possess the 
letters and well-filled boxes sent them from mothers, wives, 
sisters and friends. Here they were — " our boys," of whom 
we took sad and tearful leave months ago, when we gave them 
to God and our country at the altar of the sanctuary, where 
they alone were brave, calm and hopeful. Here they were 
— the same boys, but outwardly how changed. Then, they 
were hoys^ slender, fair, with boyish, immature faces ; now, they 
were men, stalwart, fuller and firmer of flesh, the fair, sweet, 
boyish look supplanted by a stern, daring, resolute expres- 
sion. Marches and foraging expeditions, guard-duty and 
camp-life, and the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs and Arkansas 
Post, where they had looked death unblenchingly in the face, 
had graven firm lines about the mouth, and high resolve on 
the youthful brows. "Our boys" were the same, and yet 
not the same. 

The best " shebang " of the camp was immediately placed 
at our service, and the boys bestirred themselves to make 
our stay with them comfortable. Everything in the way 
of shelter, in camp parlance, that is not a tent, is a "shebang." 
Those of the Battery are rough huts, made of boards, with 
plank floors, and roofed with canvas. A hand fide glass 
window at one end, a panelled door, and sometimes green 
blinds, at the other ; planks, windows and doors, all "jerked" 
from some deserted plantation, make up the "shebang." 



CHICAGO MERCA^TTILE BATTERY. 273 

• 

Inside are two bunks, one built over the other, bedded with 
husks or hay, each large enough to accommodate two sleepers ; 
a rough pantry with shelves, holding rations, odd crockery, 
and cutlery, mostly "jerked " from the secesh, a home-made 
table, and long bench, and these, with a bit of looking-glass, 
sundry pails and camp-kettles, and a drop-light extemporized 
from a glass bottle or broken bayonet, holding a candle sus- 
pended from the ridge-pole by a wire^ make up the furniture. 
To tell the truth, the wood-sheds of the fathers of these boys 
infinitely surpass these hastily improved camp-houses of 
the sons; but the latter, now accustomed to roughing 
it, continually challenged our admiration of their quar- 
ters with vociferous queries of, "Now, isn't this shebang 
splendid?" "Don't you see that w^e can make you ladies 
as comfortable as you would be at home ? " Of course we 
would not for the w'orld have hinted to the dear fellows that 
we had an opinion on the subject different from their own; 
and I am inclined to think that they believe we came away 
almost envying them their elegant southern residences. 

We passed two nights and one day in their camp, and 
never enjoyed any visit n:iore highly. The beauty of their 
location at Milliken's Bend cannot be surpassed. The trees 
— oak, magnolia, pride-of-china, and cottonwood — were in 
full leaf, the air was heavy with the fragrance of jasmine 
and roses, mocking-birds sang overhead, and the air was soft 
and balmy as the latter part of our June. If any one sup- 
poses that we had a Quaker meeting in that "shebang," on 
our first night, he is very much mistaken. We were put 
through a course of catechism concerning matters and per- 
sons at home that completely exhausted our stock of informa- 

18 



274 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

tion. We told all the news, and still the hungry fellows 
asked for more, till we began to think we should have to 
steal the trade of the newspaper correspondents, and manu- 
facture a sufficiency. We examined photographs of dear 
ones at home, drawn from inside pockets, to decide how far 
the originals had departed from the " counterfeit present- 
ments " since they were last seen. A plain dress cap fell 
from our travelling basket ; the bo}- s instantly hailed it as a 
home affair, and declared that "it seemed natural to see it, as 
their mothers had heaps of such female toggery lying round 
at home ; " they would have it take the place of the bayonet 
immediately, and the cap was accordingly donned, greatly 
to their gratification. We discussed the past, we prophesied 
the future, we glorified the present ; and then, when the 
tide of talk had flowed over the night into the morning, 
regardless of " tattoo," or signal-gun for retiring, we bade 
the boys " good-night " and w^ent to bed. The couch was of 
corn-husks, the covering a soldier's blanket, the pillow a 
soldier's overcoat. It was our first night in camp ; we were 
a thousand miles from home, in an enemy's country, sur- 
rounded by the fearful insignia of war ; we heard the boom- 
ing of guns at Vicksburg, fifteen miles below, and the 
novelty made us wakeful. 

Long before the drums beat the reveille in the thirty or 
more encampments around us, or the myriad birds had 
finished their matins, we were wide awake, keenly alive to 
every sound or motion. Making our toilet before the lili- 
putian mirror, six inches by three, we hurried out to roll- 
call and breakfast. Hot biscuit, baked in ovens made of 
Louisiana mud, ham deliciously fried, good sweetened coffee, 



GEN. M'CLERNAND'S ARMY CORPS. 275 

to wliich we added condensed milk, potatoes and pickles, 
constituted our breakfast — the best we bad eaten since leav- 
ing the excellent dining-saloon at Centralio, 111. On no 
account would we have lost this brief experience in camp- 
life ; and if our gallant and obliging hosts received from our 
visit half the pleasure it gave their guests, it was a paying 
affair. 

General McClernand's army corps is encamped at Milli- 
ken's Bend, and the next day we called at his headquarters, 
and informed him that the " Fanny Ogden," laden with sani- 
tary stores, would be at the Bend in the afternoon. He 
immediately ordered notice of the same to be sent to every 
chief surgeon of the regiment or battery, which brought 
them out in full force on the arrival of the boat. They were 
all connected with regimental hospitals, which were greatly 
in need of the supplies we had on board. It was very grati- 
fying to witness their gladness at the relief thus afforded 
their sick men, but the pleasure was exquisite when we 
went to the hospitals, most of them miserable affairs, intended 
only for brief, temporarj'- use, and beheld the grateful emo- 
tion of the sufferers. Ale, eggs, lemons, codfish, condensed 
milk, tea, and butter were among the articles we furnished, 
and we waited to see the ale and lemons distributed to those 
needing them. Many insisted on paying for them ; they 
could hardly be made to understand that they were the gift 
of the North-West. In ward after ward we repeated the story 
that the people had sent these supplies to the Commission, to 
be distributed to the sick in hospitals; and this evidence of 
kind remembrance by friends at home, seemed of itself to 
send a wave of healing through the entire wards. " And so 



276 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

they don't forget us down here! That's good news. We 
were afraid, from what we heard, that they were all turning 
secesh, and that we'd got to ^j/»i! our guns t'other way," was 
the response of a Missouri boy, whose lineaments bore a sus- 
picious resemblance to our whilom prisoners at Camp Doug- 
las, but who, I was assured, was loyal to the core. 

Here Dr. Franklin is organizing an immense convalescent 
hospital. It occupies a beautiful deserted plantation, whicli 
was arranged as if expressly for its present use. The cabins 
for the negroes were built on wide streets, running parallel 
with one another, each entirely shaded by fine rows of trees. 
These are being; renovated, and rendered comfortable for the 
convalescents, and between the rows of houses and under 
the shade of the trees, rows of hospital tents are pitched. 
The cooking arrangements, linen department, and every part 
of the hospital, is being organized on the largest scale. It 
already contains about 2000 patients, and its acconniioda- 
tions can be indefinitely extended. It will soon contain 
5000 patients. 

At the landing lay the floating hospital, " Nashville," and 
the hospital-steamer " D. A. January'," both of which were 
visted. The "Nashville" is a receiving-boat. It is a hos- 
pital, three stories high, built on a barge, and will accommo- 
date 1250 patients. It is towed from landing to landing, 
and receives the sick temporarily till they can be taken off 
by a hospital steamer, and carried further north. It is ad- 
mirably fitted up with cooking apparatus, bath-rooms, laun- 
dries, etc., but its usefulness is greatly impaired by being 
built too low between decks. Only the upper deck is at all 
comfortable, and it is impossible to ventilate the two lower 



D. A. JANUARY HOSPITAL TRANSPORT. 277 

decks so as to make them suitable for the reception of the 
sick. It is the most comfortless of the hospital-steamers, and 
I was not surprised to learn that the percentage of mortality 
on board is very large. Eleven coffins, containing bodies of 
the dead, stood on the after part of the boat awaiting burial, 
and on shore quite a detachment of men were busy digging 
graves. 

The "D. A. January" presented a very different appear- 
ance. This is a hospital-steamer, which with two others, 
each having 500 beds, receives the sick from the " Nash- 
ville," and the regimental hospitals, and transfers them to 
Memphis, St. Louis, Mound City, Keokuk, and other hos- 
pitals at the North. These three steamers make regular trips 
back and forth, removing the sick to comfortable quarters. 
They are splendidly fitted up with every sanitary arrange- 
ment, are perfectly ventilated, well supplied with male and 
female nurses, and are a comfort to the sick, and a credit to 
the medical department. The "D. A. January" seemed 
almost faultless in its arrangements ; cleaner beds, cleaner pa- 
tients, purer air, better cooked food, or more watchful and 
tender nursing, one could hardly desire ; and yet I am told 
by good authority that the " City of Memphis," also a hospi- 
tal steamer, surpasses even the "January" in every respect. 

There is also a medical purveyor's boat, loaded with 
medicines, surgical instruments, cots, bedding, hospital food, 
clothing, etc., which plies back and forwards, to supply 
hospitals and boats with such articles of the kind as they 
need, and thus obviate the delay incurred by sending 
for them. In addition, there is a sanitary-boat, loaded by 
the Commission with such sanitary stores as are not supplied 



278 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

by Government, and which plies from point to point, or 
sends a tug with the supplies to the places where they are 
required. These supplies are constantly reenforced by ship- 
ments from the North. It is evident, therefore, that gener- 
ous and ample arrangements are made for the care of our 
sick soldiers in this department; and if competent, humane, 
and skilful men were always in charge, to carry out the 
provisions of the Government and the Commission, the 
amount of sufferins; would be diminished, and the loss of 
life decreased. 

From Milliken's Bend we went to Lake Providence. I 
shall be obliged to write one more letter to complete the 

history of our trip. 

M. A. L. 

Lake Prottdence, La., April, 1863. 

Dear : — We have made two visits to Lake 

Providence, one long enough for an extensive exploration 
of the town and encampments, and the second only long 
enough to load our boat with cotton for the Memphis 
market. It has become a point of great interest, from 
the fact that it was proposed to turn the Mississippi from 
its natural channels through Lake Providence, and sev- 
eral baj'Ous, into the Wachita and Eed rivers, where it 
would find its way back to the main river, nearly one 
hundred and fifty miles below Yicksburg. It was hoped 
in this way to circumvent the rebels at Vicksburg, but 
the plan has failed. It was a quarter of a mile from the 
Mississippi river to Lake Providence, with a flill of fifteen 
feet in the distance, and the river at its very highest stage 
of water. Consequently, when the river was let into the 



GEN. Logan's division. 2T9 

lake, by cutting the levee between, it could not be confined 
to the narrow channel marked out for it, but flooded the 
whole north-eastern part of Louisiana, completely deluging 
and almost washing away from fifteen to eighteen of the 
richest counties of the State. Most vehement protests 
aarainst this severe and destructive war measure were 
sent to Gen. Grant, from this entire section of rebeldom. 
Large sums of money were offered as bribes to turn him 
from his strategic purpose, but he was inexorable. The 
South has brought this ruin on itself, and has but to curse 
its own folly. " The South got up the music," said one of 
the boys, " and it mustn't blame the North if they dance 
to it." 

Notliing could be more satisfactory than the condition of 
the troops at this point. "We visited Gen. Logan's division 
mainly, and found them comfortably quartered in tents, with 
floors of plank, raised from the ground, and yet they had 
not been a week encamped here. The sick were few in 
number, and considering that they were in the almost 
alwaj^s comfortless regimentnl hospitals, were well cared for. 
We rode for hours through the camps, in the inevitable 
ambulance, once breaking down in a " slough " (pronounced 
sleiv in the army) that would have answered to Bunyan's 
description of the " Slough of Despond." Everywhere the 
men appeared in rollicking health, brown, cheerful and 
busy. Occasionally, when we came to a group that mani- 
fested more than common interest in our visit, we halted for 
a brief chat, which was always agreeable, respectful and in- 
telligent on the part of the men. And here let me say, that 
in all mj intercourse with our soldiers in the field, camp 



280 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

and hospital, in the East, West and South- West, from the 
commencement of the war to the present time — and it has 
been by no means slight — I have never encountered the least 
disrespect in word, manner, tone or look, from officer or 
private. Had I been what the sick men in hospitals have so 
generally called me, as to give me the feeling of, being aged 
— " mother " to them all — their manner could not have been 
more wholly unexceptionable. I cannot, nor do I believe 
any woman can, say the same of the surgeons. Too many 
of them look with jealous eyes on the presence of even the 
best and most competent women within the hospitals, and 
do not hesitate to declare war against them, by petty acts of 
tyranny, insolent language and manner. Of course there are 
many and noble exceptions to this statement, and among 
these exceptions are found some of the most humane and 
skilful of physicians and surgeons, 

I have come to believe that if every surgeon in the army 
were faithful in the discharge of his duty, humane, honest 
and upright, there would be no objection offered to the 
services of competent women in the hospitals. " Your 
Protestant nurses are always making a fuss, spying out some 
mare's-nest in a hospital, and writing home that this patient 
is abused, that one badly treated, or the other starved ; that 
the surgeon gets drunk, or misappropriates the sanitary 
stores sent to him, or some other bugaboo story, and that's 
why I won't have them in my hospital," said a surgeon to me, 
in defense of his dismissal of the Protestant nurses sent him 
on his own requisition. He had replaced them with Sisters 
of Charity, because, as he averred, " whatever they saw or 
heard, they told nothing— the rules of their order forbade it." 



MORALITY OF THE SOLDIERS. 281 

My observations have also forced upon me the . conviction 
that our men in the army do not deteriorate morally as 
greatly as is. represented, I do not believe they are worse 
than at home. I heard no more profanity in the camps than 
I hear at home in the streets; I saw no gambling among 
the privates, but sometimes I beheld it on board the boats, 
where a large proportion .of the passengers were officers, 
surgeons, quartermasters and their assistants; and I have 
only seen three instances of drunkenness among the privates, 
and that was occasioned by liquors sent them from home, in 
private boxes. These private boxes cause a vast deal of mis- 
chief. I happened in the camp of the 23d Wisconsin, the 
day after they had received several loads of private boxes 
from their several homes, and found that sixty-three were that 
morning reported unfit for duty, in consequence of sickness, 
superinduced by a surfeit of the goodies sent them by friends. 
General Grant has forbidden the free transportation of private 
boxes in future, which will tend to diminish materially the 
amount sent. 

There are a large number of "contrabands" at Lake 
Providence, who have come in from the plantations in 
droves of hundreds, and are now employed in picking cotton 
for the Government. Very little of the cotton on these 
deserted Providence plantations has been gathered, and the 
Government has let the job to contractors, who pick it on 
halves, and deliver it in bales to the Government, the con- 
tractors paying negroes a penny a pound for the picking, and 
Government furnishing them rations. They are thus earning 
to the United States thousands of dollars a day. Those in 
charsje of the contrabands were aiming to find means for 



2S2 • THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

their remo.val further north, where they might be secure from 
both the soldiers and their former owners ; but this plan has 
been frustrated by Adj. -Gen. Thomas, who proposes to con- 
fiscate these valuable and productive plantations for the use 
of such of the contrabands as cannot do military duty, which 
they are to cultivate under the direction of white overseers 
or manasrers. 

While standing on the deck of the "Maria Denning," as 
she lay at Lake Providence, on which boat we had taken 
passage home, we were accosted by Ford Douglas, a well- 
known colored man of Chicago, of some repute as a lecturer, 
but now a regularly enlisted soldier of the 95th Illinois, 
where he is esteemed, respected and' fraternized with, as if 
he were a white man. He had come on board to ask us to 
take a little colored boy, nine .years old, to his mother in 
Chicago. The child's history was as follows : 

Three years before, his mother, then a slave on one of the 
Louisiana plantations, went to Newport, E,. L, with her 
master and mistress, to pass the summer, when, following the 
example of her mother and sister, she ran away from bondage 
to Chicago. Here she had resided for three years, mourn- 
ing her separation from her little son, her only 6hild, but 
rejoicing in her liberty. During this period she had made 
every effort to regain her bo}-, but without success. "When, 
at last, Mr. Douglas' regiment was ordered south to Lake 
Providence, near her former home, she begged him to search 
for her boy, and to send him to her. He had found the 
child, and had long been watching for an opportunity to 
send him north, and now entreated us to take him in charge. 
The gentlemen of the party remembered the wicked black 



STORY OF THE CONTRABAND BEVERLY MIX. 2S3 

laws of Illinois, which forbid, they said, any one to bring a 
negro into the State under penalty, and hesitated. But as pol- 
itics are tabooed to women by the " lords of creation," it is no 
more than proper for them to ignore political laws also, and so 
they consented (what mother would have refused ?), and he 
was brought aboard, and placed in care of the colored chamber- 
maid, who, knowing his history, aided to shield and feed him. 
We arrived in Cairo at midnight, too late for any effort 
to obtain a pass for his transportation to Chicago. As it was 
necessary for him to proceed with us on the three o'clock 
train, A.M., we decided to take him along without a pass. 
Accordingly, he was put away for the night, and in so 
obscure a part of the sleeping-car (accidentally, no doubt), 
that M'hen the provost-marshal searched the train for negroes 
and deserters, just before it started, he stupidly missed our 
little black boy, Beverly Mix by name, who snored away as 
nonchalantly as though therg were no such objects of terror 
as provost-marshals and black laws. So he reached Chicago 
in safety, and the next day, after a long search, the boy's 
mother was found, and the twain were brought face to face, 
and knew each other. With one joyful shriek of recogni- 
tion they rushed into each other's arms, and wept uncontrol- 
lably, the poor mother lavishing the long pent-up affection of 
her heart upon her child, in kisses and embraces, and tender 
and endearing epithets. That joyful meeting, beheld by no 
one without tears, paid for all the trouble and risk incurred 
in bringing him from his home a thousand miles south ; and 
if there is in this city, or any other, a happier mother and 
son than Mrs. Mix and her boy Beverly, once slaves, now 
free, we would like to see them. 



2S4: THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

At this point, Lake Providence, there were large numbers 
of sick soldiers brought on board, discharged from the ser- 
vice for disability, and given to our care on their way home. 
One of them, a boy of seventeen, died ere we reached Mem- 
phis, and was buried in the grave-yard of the convalescent 
camp at Memphis. Anxious to see his mother once more, 
of whom he talked incessantly, it seemed hard for him to die 
on his homeward journey to her — and yet it was a relief to 
see the poor suffering fellow at rest in death. > 

Another one of our proteges was a boy of fourteen, a 
native of Petersburg, Va. His case was a peculiarly inter- 
esting one. He was the son of a gentleman of property in 
Petersburg, who was a staunch Unionist, and voted against 
secession, talked against it, and opposed it with all his might. 
For this he was arrested, and sent to Richmond to jail, where 
he died. The boy, whose mother had previously died, and 
who was brotherless and sisterless, stood by his father in this 
emergenc}', and spunkily declared him right, and Virginia 
wrong. For this he endured much persecution, until one of his 
father's friends advised him to seek an uncle in Missouri, and 
helped him to a horse and money, and started him on the 
journey. The boy lost his uncle's address before he reached 
Kentucky, where he fell in with the 20th Illinois, before 
the battle of Donelson, and had shared the fortunes of the 
regiment ever since. He was now just recoveri)m from a 
fearful sickness, and weak, feeble, and despondent, I found 
him crouched on the lower deck of the "Maria Denning," 
bound North — he knew not whither. It needed but little 
persuasion to induce the poor lad to come home with me. 

Our proteges were further increased at Cairo by an orphan 



STOEY OF JOHNNIE, EEFUGEE FROil VIRGINIA. 285 

girl of fifteen, a refugee from Arkansas, whose father was 
killed at Island No. 10, fighting for the Union, and whom I 
also brought home. The generous arms of the " Home of the 
Friendless" received them, where thej now are, receiving 
such maternal care and medical treatment as their cases 
demand. By-and-bj, when they shall have forgotten their 
hardships and multiplied sorrows, and shall have become 
recuperated in health and strength, homes await them in the 
free North, scores of which have already been tendered them. 
The boat which brought us home was freighted with misery. 
On the lower deck were five hundred condemned Govern- 
ment horses and mules, sent to St. Louis to be sold — diseased, 
mutilated, and worn out, some of whom died daily. Above 
were contrabands, only a week out of slavery, clothed in 
rags and vermin, with scanty food, on their way North to 
seek new homes, their joy mingled with regret for some who 
were left behind ; and in the cabin were sick and dying 
soldiers, some with sinking hearts, feeling that though each 
hour brought them nearer to their loved ones, they were yet 
drifting further and further from them out into eternity. 
Slowly we floated northward, gladly leaving the "abomina- 
tion of desolation " behind us, and when we emerged from 
the cars into the streets of Chicago, it was, to us, as though 
we had entered a new world. 

M. A. L 



286 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XVIL 

Gen. Grant's plans to reacli the reai' of Vicksburg. — Transports run- 
ning the batteries. — Overland march of the army to New Carthage. — 
Cross the river at Hard Times. — Six successive battles to reach the 
rear of Vicksburg. — Assaults on Rebel fortifications. — Steamer " City 
of Alton " sent for wounded Illinois soldiers. — Prisoners on board 
from St. Louis. — Incidents of travel. — Prisoners' guard. — Camp of 
Union army in ravines and rifle-pits. — Dining with regiments. — 
Southern bayous. — Visit to rifle-pits.— Bravery and endurance of 
troops. — Incidents of the visits. — Visit to 113 th Regiment Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry. — Visit to its hospital. — Death of its color-bearer. 

The fruitless attempts made by Gen. Grant to reach the 
rear of Vicksburg, by a canal cut across the peninsula on 
which the city lay, by the Lake Providence, Moon Lake, 
and Steel's Bayou routes, would have so disheartened a less 
persistent man, that the task would have been abandoned as 
hopeless. On the contrary, as is well known, he determined, 
as a last resort, to run the batteries at Vicksburg, with trans- 
ports under cover of gunboats, and by a land march of his 
forces into the interior, meet them at New Carthage, cross the 
river, and thus reach the long-coveted position in the rear of 
Vicksburg. 

In the latter part of April, a.d. 1863, the bold -experiment 
was successfully made, and seven out of the eight transports 
passed through the terrific thunder of artillery, safely. The 
invincible army, with its brave leader, at once commenced 
its perilous march into an enemy's countrj^, building roads 



CAMPAIGN TO REACH THE HEAR OF VICKSBURG. 2S7 

and bridging streams as it went forward, till New Carthage, 
the " rendezvous," was reached. Behold! it had become 
an island, by the strategy of the enemy, and the weary ' 
troops were obliged to add fifty miles to their march, at the 
end of which they reached " Hard Times," where the trans- 
ports awaited them, and carried them safely across the river 
to Grand Gulf. • , 

The wary enemy, apprised of their approach, had at that 
point erected batteries, that proved too powerful for army 
and navy combined. Admiral Porter again braved the 
storm of iron hail, belching fire, and thunder of rebel 
cannon, and successfully reached Bruinsburg, where he met 
the troops who had pushed through the forest to meet him. 
The army landed on the 29tli of April, Gen. Grant being 
the first man to set his foot on shore. 

Then began a campaign of unequalled brillianc}^, compris- 
ing the battles of "Grand Gulf," "Port Gibson," "Eay- 
mond," "Jackson," "Champion's Hill," and "Big Black 
Eiver." By these six successive engagements, this pertina- 
cious man, with his three army corps of " backers," Sher- 
man's, Logan's, and MacPherson's, pounded his way to the 
rear of Vicksburg, cutting the- rebel army in two, dividing 
Pemberton, driven into the intrenchments of Yicksburg, from 
Johnson in the rear. Even then this unflinching man did 
not stop to rest. While the country was shouting hosannas, 
the great Union constrictor was enfolding the rebel stronghold, 
and the army extending its lines, till on the 19th of May its 
east and west terminus touched the Mississippi, above and 
below Vicksburg, and formed a safe and permanent base of 
supplies. 



288 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

The battles of this marvellous campaign were swift, crush- 
ing and destructive. At Champion's Hill, where two batter- 
ies and 1,000 prisoners were our trophies, 3,000 heroes bit the 
dust. At Big Black we paid for 1,500 prisoners and 18 can- 
non, with 373 loyal lives. But why dilate on this campaign, 
that for celerit}^, persistence, prowess and results, has rarely, 
if ever, been excelled ? Hon. E. B. Washburne, the warm 
and steady friend of Gen. Grant, says he took with him 
" neither a horse, nor an orderly, nor a camp-chest, nor an 
overcoat, nor a blanket, nor even a clean shirt. Ilis entire 
baggage for six days was a tooth-brush. He fared like the 
commonest soldier in bis command, partaking of his rations 
and sleeping upon the ground, with no covering but the 
canopy of heaven." Such conduct proved the General's ability 
to comprehend the situation, and his resolution to master it. 

But what did the " Boj-s in Blue " ? They started, minus 
the tooth-brush. Unmurmuringly they marched and toiled. 
Fonvardf was their watchword, and Work/ their motto. 
They felled trees, built roads, erected bridges, plunged into 
opposing streams in the face of showering bullets, fought six 
battles, won six successive victories, scarcely stopping to cover 
their uncoffined dead, or drop a tear to their memory. God 
and the home sufferers alone know what these victories cost. 
These passed, the triumphant army, in sight of the South- 
Western Sebastopol, fixed its eager gaze on the prize. Its 
approaches were enfiladed with batteries, and serried with the 
picked sharpshooters of the rebel army. The fortifications 
commanded the entire plain below, embarrassed with chevaux- 
de-frise, fallen timber, under-brush and rifle-pits, forming 
almost insuperable barriers to the advance of the Union 



SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 2S9 

army, in the face of musketry and artillery, wielded beliind 
powerful intrenchments. 

I visited the battle-field of Walnut Hills, with a youth 
under twenty years of age, belonging to an Illinois regiment. 
As I looked in astonishment at the strength of what had 
been the rebel position, the boy -soldier pointed to a log that 
lay in a swampy bed, and said : " I lay under that all night, 
after our first attack, glad to escape the balls and shells crash- 
ing around us, while we waited for daylight to be up and at 
it again, when we finished the job, and planted the 'Stars 
and Stripes ' on that hill yonder." 

After the assaults of the 19th and 22d of May, the army 
went into regular siege. Opposing forts were erected, pits, 
corridors, parallels and countersaps dug, till the divid- 
ing wall between the foes became so thin, that the voices of 
the workers reached each other in the mines. All this 
while, huge balls and shells, from guns on rafts, from mor- 
tars, batteries and gunboats, poured a never-ceasing fiery 
rain into the cloomed city, whose inhabitants were digging 
caves for shelter, that often became their graves. In 
the midst of all this prodigious and terrific activity, the 
Union hosts drew closer and closer to the city,' only asking 
time, to crush out its bleeding heart, or have it cry 
" Surrender ! " 

This was the position of the Federal army when I 

reached Vicksburg. The terrific assaults of the 19th and 

22d of May had been made. They stand preeminent, even 

in that list of bloody battles, and were fought up acclivities, 

at some points so precipitous that horses could not be trusted 

to draw up the gun-carriages; the battery-boys dragged 

19 



290 THE BOYS IJSr BLUE. 

them up, firing as they went. As our army advanced, in the 
face of the foe, 

" Cannon to right of them, 
Cannon to left of them, 
Cannon in front of them 
Yolleyed and thundered ; " 

more frightful still, fringes of the deadly Minie, in the hands 
of the most skilful riflemen. Still there was no faltering. 
On they went, closing up their ranks as they were decimated, 
arid toiling up the bluffs, watered at every step with the 
blood of their comrades, who fell on the green sward as ripe 
grain before the reaper's sickle. Some assaults were so 
terrific, that the commanding general would not issue orders 
for special regiments, but called for volunteers, who were not 
found wanting, for thrice the number asked stepped from 
the ranks, with ofiScers to lead them to almost certain death. 
It was after this terrific struggle, when the army lay en- 
sconced in the ravines and rifle-pits of Yicksburg, that I 
visited it for the last time, and brought away sacred memo- 
ries, now struggling to the light, in the "Boys in Blue and 
Heroes of the Eank and File." 

The nation had been electrified, as tidings of these succes- 
sive assaults flashed over the wires, and the hearts of many 
home watchers had been crushed or agonized by suspense, 
or notice of dead and wounded. As a large number of 
Illinois regiments had suffered severely in these battles, 
the patriotic Governor of Illinois, Richard Yates, seconded 
by Adjutant-General Fuller, determined to send a steamer, 
fitted up with every comfort, and fully supplied with volun- 



PRISONERS ON STEAMER CITY OF ALTON. 291 

teer nurses and surgeons, to bring the wounded of the Illinois 
regiments to northern homes or hospitals. 

Mj son, Colonel of the 113th Regiment of Illinois Volun- 
teers, had been reported wounded — struck on the head with. 
a piece of shell, in the advance on the 19th of May. I grate- 
fully accepted the invitation of the Governor and General 
Fuller to visit and nurse him, and if necessary bring him 
home on the State boat. On the first day of June we left 
Chicago, an organized band, under the command of Col. 
Hough, of that city, and Col. L(^mis, of Springfield. 

At Cairo we met the noble steamer, " City of Alton," 
from St. Louis, where all arrangements had been made for 
our comfort, and for the transportation of the large amount 
of sanitary stores, including two car-loads of ice, furnished by 
the North-Western and State Sanitary Commissions. We 
found on board this boat a novel group of passengers — thirty 
persons from St. Louis, to be sent outside the Union lines, 
for treasonable speech and action. ^^ En passant^'' we shall 
notice them, as one of the features of the remarkable war of 
the rebellion, and the unparalleled clemency of the Govern- 
ment. The company contained on its roll some proud 
Southern names, closely allied to officers of the highest 
grade in the rebel army. They were a motley group — old 
and young — male and female — coarse and refined. The 
assortment was incongruous, and must have been, in certain 
quarters, very distasteful. "A fellow-feeling makes us won- 
drous kind," and the stern mandates of treason forbade all 
distinctions but of color. Consequently there was a strange 
commingling, and droll companionship, entertaining and 
suggestive, if not enjoyable. 



292 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

The prisoners were in charge of a Union officer and com- 
pany of soldiers. In some unaccountable manner thej had 
secured the choice state-rooms and tables of the steamer. 
Government paid the expenses of the forced journey, and it 
seemed, at its commencement, more like the triumphal march 
of conquerors, than of captive traitors. The gentlemen in 
charge of the volunteer surgeons, and nurses, who belonged 
to the best families in the State, could see no reason why 
these persons should be thus honored, at the expense of loyal 
men and women, who were^oing on an errand of mercy, to 
heal wounds made by them in an attempt to subvert the 
Government, treating them so leniently. The gentlemen in 
charge claimed the choice tables for the volunteers, and 
secured them, and were only prevented from taking the 
state-rooms, by the request of the ladies. 

There was some disgraceful conduct on the part of the 
prisoners, and some exciting " rencontres " between them and 
the nurses. A piano on the boat gave us the opportunity of 
singing in concert patriotic songs, which were more than 
once interrupted by the serpent's hiss in the chorus. One 
woman, sent beyond the lines for firing on a Union officer 
and offering her house as an habitual place of meeting for 
bushwhackers, remarked in a vociferous manner in the lady's 
cabin, that she should write to her friends in St. Louis that 
" the Yankees, thick as they were, had not yet gobbled her 
up, but treated her with that consideration that was her due, 
and let her say whatever she pleased." A noble woman, and 
earnest patriot, from Springfield, answered : " Thank God, 
the reign of such free speech will be short, as we are sure of 
an early victory." With the spring of a tiger, the female 



PRISONERS ON THE " CITY OF ALTON." 293 

rebel gained her feet. Clencliing her fist, stamping lier foot, 
and glaring wildly, slie exclaimed : " Hold your tongue ! — ■ 
don't speak of Yankee victory. I bate tbe race, and so we 
all do tbat dare to speak. We don't worship the same God, 
and wouldn't.'''' The resolute, dignified woman replied in a 
magisterial tone, lifting her finger : " Not anotber word ! 
Silence ! You are a prisoner, and if you utter anotber sentence, 
I will have you confined in your state-room, as you deserve." 
Tbe raging woman saw the point of tbe remark, retired 
precipitately as a rushing whirlwind, and kept silence 
afterwards. 

All were not thus. Tbe wife of a rebel major-general, and 
her unassuming family, were reticent, dignified and proper ; 
but they formed the rare exceptions. Tbe prisoners left us at 
Memphis, and, surrounded by the guard, marched up the 
gang-way, the leaders whistling a graveyard air to keep up 
their courage, and the chivalry carrying their own satchels, 
with jokes and grimaces, for lack of niggers, as they said. 
We met them again at Vicksburg, on a gunboat of tbe 
Mackerel Brigade, " on diV living on soldiers' rations, till some 
Southern port would welcome them. As they leaned over 
the railing, despondingly, and we were looking towards them, 
down swept three steamers, laden to the guards with the 
" Boys in Blue," cheering, huzzaing, with bands playing and 
colors flying. Tbe gunboat that took the prisoners to their 
Southern friends received a rebel broadside, but persevered, 
and landed them up the Yazoo Eiver. 

"We had on board, as we stated, a company of guards, and 
quite a number of soldiers on their way back to their regi- 
ments, to share in the glory and danger of taking Yicksburg. 



294: THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Our progress was unimpeded, the weather glorious, and 
the opportunity rare, to make the acquaintance of many 
sanitary workers in the State. Dr. McArthur, of Joliet, 
was placed in command of the surgeons and nurses of 
the expedition, and gave entire satisfaction throughout the 
trip. 

The balmy evening air and lingering twilight ordi- 
narily brought us together on the hurricane-deck for coun- 
sel and refreshment; and we usually spent an hour in 
singing patriotic and sacred songs. It was wisely said, by a 
great European statesman, "Let who will make the nation's 
books, if I may make their songs." Time may never dis- 
close the mighty power of music in the war of the rebellion. 
In the camp, in the battle-fleet, in hospitals, on transports, in 
sacred services, I have seen and felt its power to inspire 
patriotism, subdue suffering, carry the wanderer back to 
home and the cross, and sustain the spirit amid weariness 
and agony. In our evening songs we were joined by the 
soldiers, who quickly gathered round us. As the shades of 
twilight deepened, and nothing but dim outlines could be 
seen, the sob of many a manly heart was heard in the pauses 
of hymns, made familiar at the Sabbath-school, the family 
altar, and the sanctuary. One evening, after a pause, we 
started the air, " Home, sweet Home." All joined in, except 
the soldiers. They sat in silence, and a long, deep inspiration 
at the close explained the reason. One, braver to speak than 
the rest, said: "Ladies, the boys never sing that song. It 
unfits them for duty, and makes them homesick." As we 
all know, Napoleon, on that principle, forbade the Swiss 
evening song, " Ranz des Vaches," to be sung or played in 



VISIT TO CAMP AT THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 295 

his army. It paralyzed the arms, and crushed the spirits of 
his Swiss soldiers. • 

As soon as we arrived at Vicksburg, I was apprised of the 
partial recovery of my son, although the injury proved to be 
so severe, that I was obliged to spend many weary days and 
nights of watching in his tent, and finally, under strict 
orders from his surgeon, take him North to save his life. 
This casualty separated me from the company and the 
steamer "City of Alton," but gave me an opportunity of 
becoming part of the besieging army, and perfectly familiar 
■with its animus and regime. 

The main body of the army was encamped in a semi-circu- 
lar form, in the rear of Yicksburg, and stretched its lines over 
an area of eight or nine miles. A portion of it was ensconced 
in the rifle-pits, as conies in the rocks, enduring the heat of 
a vertical sun, that had converted these excavations into 
ovens. Here the men crouched, to escape the shells and 
bullets from the rebel intrenchments, at almost touching dis- 
tance. The dull, harmless-looking earthworks of either 
army had the appearance of peaceable clay bluffs, giving 
no sign of the slumbering volcanoes behind and beneath 
them, only awaiting the match to the fuse, or the word of 
command, to upheave their foundations, and belch forth brim- 
stone and iron hail. Even the rebel sharpshooters were 
invisible, although they filled many Union graves daily. 
So exhausting was the service in the rifle-pits, that regiments 
alternated, every two weeks. 

The ravines between the bluffs were quiet, cool places of 
retreat, and comparatively safe from the fire of the enemy. 
As I dined with different regiments in these shady dells, the 



296 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

experience was novel and not unpleasing, when the branches 
of the lofty trees, detached by shells, came crashing down in 
the midst of the mess, or a spent Minie fell harmless at my 
feet. 

The luxuriant bottoms around the Mississippi bayous, 
where some of the regiments wete pleasantly encamped, 
proved to be deceptive places of refuge. The exhalations of 
the dense, dank foliage on their banks, wet with dews akin 
to those of the Nile in volume, and the miasmatic effluvia 
of their stagnant waters, were more deadly in results, than 
the weapons of the enemy. The malignity of the bayou 
fever cannot be overrated ; and the value of our victory in 
season to avoid its prevalence in the autumnal months, 
exceeds computation. 

The crowning interest of my Yicksburg trip, was my visit 
to the rifle-pits, where I stood beside the brave men holding 
them, looked through the loopholes of the earthworks, and, 
like every other civilian, imagined I barely escaped with my 
life, as I heard the whizzing Minies, speeding a few inches 
above my head — the rebel salute for temerity and curiosity. 
The intense excitement of the position, the manly, cheerful 
bearing of the men amid their hardships, the screaming of 
shells through the trees, the booming of the heavy mortars, 
ever and anon throwing their huge balls into the city, and 
the picturesque panorama of the army, with its white tents 
nestling in the ravines, obliterated all sense of personal 
danger and fatigue, and made even the stifling heat of the 
rifle-pits endurable. The soldiers talked of the rebels as 
prisoners they were guarding, and treated suggestions 
as to Johnston's junction with Pemberton, with scornful 



VISIT TO RIFLE-PITS. 297 

derision ; saying, " the boys in the rear could whip Johnston 
"without those in the front knowing it, and the boys in, the front 
could take Yicksburg without disturbing those in the rear." 

After leaving the topmost ledge of rifle-pits, I descended 
to the second line, where the sound of singing reached me ; 
I turned in the direction from whence it came, and a few 
steps brought me to a litter of boughs, on which lay a gray- 
headed veteran, face downwards, with a comrade on either 
side. They did not perceive me, but sang on to the closing 
line of the verse : 

" Come, humble sinner, in whose breast 
A thousand thoughts revolve, 
Come with thy sins and fears oppressed, 
And make this last resolve." 

I joined in the second verse : 

" I'll go to Jesus, though my sins 
Have like a mountain rose ; 
I know His courts, I'll enter in. 
Whatever may oppose." 

In an instant each man turned, and would have stopped, 
but I sang on with humid eyes, and they continued. At 
the close of the hymn, one exclaimed, " Why, ma'am, where 
did you come from ? Did you drop from heaven into these 
rifle-pits? You are the first lady we have seen here," and 
then his voice was full of tears. I answered, " I have come 
from your friends at home to see and comfort you, and bring 
words of love and gratitude ; I have come to bring part of 
the debt we owe you, and long to pay^ but cannot. I've come 
to see if the good things sent from home reach you. I 
dare not go home without seeing and hearing you, else 



298 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

would I be scorned by all the loyal women." " Do they 
think so much of us as that ? " he asked. " Why, boys, we 
can fight another year on that, can't we?" "Yes! yesl" 
they cried, and almost every hand was raised to brush away 
a tear. " Boys," I said, " the women at home don't think of 
much beside the soldiers. If they meet to sew, 'tis for 
you ; if they have a good time, 'tis to gather money for the 
Sanitary Commission ; if they meet to pray, 'tis for the brave 
Union Army, and the men in the rifle-pits of Vicksburg. 
Even the little children, as they kneel at their mother's knees 
to lisp their nightly prayers, say, ' God bless the soldiers.' " 

A crowd of eager listeners had gathered from their hiding- 
places. Instead of cheers, as usual, I could hear an occasional 
sigh, and^eZ the solemn silence. The gray -haired soldier 
drew from his breast-pocket a daguerreotype, and said, " Here 
are my wife and daughters. I think any man might be 
proud of them, and they all work for the soldiers." Then 
each man drew forth the inevitable daguerreotype, and held 
it for me to look at, while his eyes beamed with pride and 
affection. There were aged mothers and sober matrons, 
bright-eyed maidens and laughing cherubs, all carried next 
those brave hearts, and cherished as life itself. Blessed art. 
It was part of God's preparation-work for this long, cruel 
war. These mute memorials of home and its loved ones, 
have proved the talisman of many a tempted soul, and the 
solace of thousands of weary, suffering veterans. 

I had much work for the day, and prepared to leave. I 
said, " Brave men, farewell. When I go home I'll tell them 
that men that never flinch before a foe, sing hymns of praise 
in the rifle-pits of Vicksburg. I'll tell them that eyes that 



VISIT TO 113th REG. ILL. VOLUNTEERS. 299 

never weep for their own suffering, overflow at the name of 
wife and mother, and at the pictures of wifQ and children. 
They will feel more than ever that such men must conquer, 
and that enough cannot be done for them." " God bless 
yon ! " " God bless you ! " burst from the assembled crowd. 
" Three cheers for the women at home ! " cried one. They 
were given with a will, and echoed through the rifle-pits. 
Hard, honest hands were grasped, and I turned away to 
visit other regiments. 

The officer of the 8th Missouri, who accompanied me, 
said, "Madam, pray visit our regiment to-morrow; 'twould 
be worth a victory to them. You don't know what good 
a lady's visit to the army does. These men whom you 
have seen to-day, will talk of your visit for six months 
to come. Around the camp-fires, in the rifle-pits, in the 
dark night on the march, they will repeat your words, 
describe your looks, your voice, your size, your dress, 
and all agree in one respect, that you look like each 
man's wife or mother, and are an angel, surely." Such 
reverence had our soldiers for true-hearted, upright 
women. 

In the valley beneath, just haVing exchanged the front 
line of rifle-pits with the regiment now occupying it, en- 
camped my son's regiment, the 113th Illinois Volunteers. 
Its ranks had been fearfully thinned by the terrible assaults 
of the 19th and 21st of May, as it had formed part of the 
right wing of the line of battle on those terrible days. I 
knew many of the men personally, and as they gathered 
round me, and inquired after home and friends, I could but 
look in sadness for familiar faces to be seen no more on 



800 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

earth. I said, " Boys, I was present when your colors were 
presented to you by the Board of Trade. I heard your 
Colonel pledge himself that you would bring them home, 
or cover them with blood and glory. Where are they, 
after your many battles ? " With great alacrity, the man in 
charge of them ran into an adjoining tent, and brought them 
forth, carefully wrapped in an oil-silk coverin-g. He drew 
it off, and flung the folds to the breeze, on that glorious day 
in June. "What does this mean? so soiled and faded, and 
rent and tattered, I should not know them." The man who 
held them said, "Why, ma'am, 'twas the smoke and balls 
did that." "Ah ! so it must have been ! You have 
covered them with glory ! How about the blood ? " A pain- 
ful silence followed, and then a low voice said, " Four men 
were shot down, holding them — two are dead and two in the 
hospital." "Verily, you hinvQ redeemed your pledge. Now, 
boys, sing while you hold them, as you alone can sing, 
' Rally round the Flag.' " As the soldiers' chorus echoed 
through the valley, I stood in sight of the green sward, that 
had been dyed with the blood of those that upheld the 
colors. Methought angels might have paused to hear the 
sacred song, for it spoke of freedom to the captive, and hope 
to the oppressed of all nations. Since that day it seems 
profane to sing it lightly. 

After a tearful farewell to this noble regiment, I stepped into 
the ambulance that was waiting to convey me to the hospital. 
The brave fellows crowded around me with last messages for 
their friends up North. As we parted, three cheers arose for 
the Sanitary Commission and the women at home, and I 
fancied I heard them till I reached the hospital. 



DEATH OF THE COLOR-BEAREK, 113th ILL. REG. 801 

Here lay the wounded color-bearer. As I entered the 
tent, the surgeon met me and said : "I am so glad you have 

come, for R has been calling for you all day." As I took 

his parched hand, he said: "Oh! take me home to my wife 
and little ones to die." There he lay, as noble a specimen of 
vigorous manhood as I had ever looked upon. His deep, 
broad chest heaved with emotion, his dark eyes were bril- 
liant with fever, his cheeks flushed with almost the hue of 
health, his rich brown hair clustering in soft curls over 
his massive forehead. It was difficult to realize he was 
entering the portals of eternity. I walked across the tent 
to the doctor, and asked if he could go with me. He 
shook his head and said before midnight he would be 
at rest. I shrank from his eager gaze as I approached. 
" What does he say ? " he gasped. " You canH he movedP 
The broad chest rose and fell ; his whole frame quivered. 
There was a pause of a few moments. He spoke first : 
" "Will you take my message to lierV "I will, if I go five 
hundred miles to do it." " Take her picture from under my 
pillow, and my children's also ; let me see them once more." 
As 1 held them for him, he looked earnestly, and said : " Tell 
her not to fret about me, for we shall meet in heaven. Tell 
her 'twas all right that I came. I do not regret it, and she 
must not. Tell her to train those two little boys, that we 
loved so well, to go to heaven to us ; and tell her to bear 
my loss like a soldier's wife, and a Christian." H*? was 
exhausted -by the effort. I stood beside him till his con- 
sciousness was gone, repeating God's precious promises. 
As the sun went down that night, he slept in his Father's 
bosom. 



302 THE BOYS IN' BLUE. 



CHAPTER XVin. 

Fast living in Chicago intensified at Vicksburg. — Army life at Vicks- 
burg. — Army trains. — Dust. — Grood-nature of the soldiers. — Thun- 
der-storm. — Life in an army tent. — Bombardment of Vicksburg. — 
Eeptiles and insects. — Climate. — Tornado. — Visit to Lutheran clergy- 
men in the ranks. — Brave German lieutenant promoted from the 
ranks. — Wounded drummer-boy, — A boy-hero. 

This is a fast age, and Chicago one of the fastest of fast 
cities. The rush of its busy throngs creates a whirl of ex- 
citement. Locomotives cross its main thoroughfares, fire 
steam-engines rusli through its streets at a gallop, drawn by 
double teams. Express-wagons and drays run with two-forty 
speed. A busy tide of humanity blocks its sidewalks, and 
vehicles its streets, requiring, at certain points, policemen to 
enforce order. Broadway is reproduced, and- Yanity Fair 
reenacted. Steamers and tugs puff up and down through its 
centre, on a river deep enough to float a man-of-war, and the 
spreading white sails of hundreds of vessels move through 
the heart of the city like phantom ships on the bosom of this 
deep, narrow stream. 

All this, however, was quiet compared with Vicksburg 
during the siege. There, life stripped of its conventionalities, 
was still more intensified, with higher aims, and on a sub- 



INTENSE CHARAOTER OF LIFE AT VICKSBURG. 303 

limfer scale. The competitors in that more than Olympic race, 
had laid aside every weight, stripped themselves of every 
hindrance, and kept their eyes fixed on the goal. The stakes 
were life or death, freedom or slavery ; the spectators, the 
■whole nation ; and its gratitude^ the laurel wreath to crown the 
victor's brow. Such mighty issues, and the sublime resolu- 
tion that met them, developed the nobility of 100,000 men 
at the siege of Vicksburg, and furnished a. startling contrast 
to the sordid, grasping, frivolous life of multitudes at home, 
crowding and jostling each other in the scramble for gold 
and furbelows, cast aside by these heroes to enable them to 
come off conquerors. 

At Vicksburg, the game of life was played on a great 
scale. Men lived and died with locomotive speed. The 
rattling of musketry, the crash of artillery, and the thunder 
of continuous trains of army wagons, miles in length, made 
fit music for this war-life, and pressed men forward without 
time or wish to look at "things behind." The elements of 
nature harmonized with the scenes of this great drama. Her 
rains were torrents, and left rivers and ravines in their wake. 
The shimmering rays of the tropical sun melted, blistered, 
and licked up the moisture of the valleys and hill-sides, 
as did Heaven's descending fire the water in the trenches 
of Baal's altar. Winds were tornadoes, snapping the trunks 
of lofty pines and cedars, as stems of pipe-clay. Animal 
and vegetable nature seemed to partake, in a measure, of this 
intense type of existence. Evergreens grew to the dignity 
of forest- trees; even the scathed trunks of the sylvan mon- 
archs were robed with graceful vines and mosses, that trailed 
to the ground from their lofty branches. Huge pond-lilies, 



304: THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

with glossy, broad leaves, groves of magnolias, cape jasmines, 
and acacias, making the air heavy with their fragrance; 
large birds with brilliant plumage, monstrous and dazzling 
serpents, owls, lizards, bats, insects — and, to crown all, the 
mighty Mississippi, with its ceaseless monotone, were in 
strange harmony with the great issues to be decided, and the 
vast enginery at work to solve the problem. 

No wonder that so great a conflict, for such principles, 
developed such military leaders as Grant, Sherman, and 
McPherson, and among their subordinates and " the heroes of 
the rank and file," thousands that would have been created 
field-marshals by Napoleon. 

The memory of acres of graves, miles of hospitals, thou- 
sands of wrecked hearts and bodies, casts a shadow iu 
which some must walk during the remnant of their pil- 
grimage. This terrific, but exalted education, gave to its 
graduates such experience of the glory of self-consecration 
and the sweets of an unselfish life, that no earthly pleasures 
can replace them. Many have thus learned to imitate the 
Divine example, in going about to do good — the only basis 
of true Christian character and exalted happiness. 

Before the war of the rebellion, our nation, even in her 
extreme youth, was becoming sordid in spirit, corrupt in 
practice, and grovelling in aim. The golden calf had been 
erected on the plain of Dura, and men flocked to bow before 
it. • Shadrach and his fellows were the rare exceptions. 
The nation seemed to be entrapped in the meshes of luxury, 
self-indulgence, pride, corruption and political depravity, and 
was fast hastening to the grave of luxurious, antecedent 
republics. The boom of the traitorous cannon, in April, 



TRAINS OF ARMY TEAMS AT VICKSEUKG. 305 

A,D. 1861, aroused her dormant energy and patriotism. 
After wading through oceans of blood, that threatened to 
overwhehn her, she emerged, with her Spartan virtues 
revived, four milHons of bondmen enfranchised with 
pledges ^f protection, and, with high and firm resolves, took 
her place among the foremost of the nations, where she will 
remain with a brightening destiny, unless her statesmen and 
heroes shall be beguiled by the sirens of ease and luxurj', or 
shall depart from the principles of liberty and justice that 
have cost so much to maintain. In the translation of our 
national Elijah, we beheld the chariot of fire, and the horse- 
men thereof, carrying the nation's idol to his own place, and 
were again taught the oft-repeated lesson, "Trust not in an 
arm of flesh." In the iustice of our cause, and in the Lord 
Jehovah, is our strength. 

The nearest point of the main body of the army at Yicks- 
burg, was five miles from Johnson's Landing. The road of 
communication was chiefly new, and was cut through groves 
of timber, which left a plentiful sprinkling of land snags 
in their wake. The face of the country was rugged, and 
the soil red clay, that formed, when wet, mud of the 
tenacity of wax, and when dry and ground to powder by 
the ceaseless and ponderous trains of army wagons, dust, that 
pervaded all things. In many parts of the precipitous road 
two teams could not be driven abreast, and a stand-still of 
hours was not uncommon, to allow the great serpentine train 
to wend its way towards its destination. An entire day was 
allowed for the passage of such trains to and from the Land- 
ing, and an ambulance required from three to six hours to 

accomplish a distance of three miles. The clouds of dust 

20 



306 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

raised by this prodigious travel rivalled the simoom of the 
desert. They were agrarian, levelling all distinctions of dress 
and color. They enveloped and enrobed all things and all 
people with a dusky red mantle, and threatened suffocation 
to the daring adventurer who opened his mouth to ^rate. • 

A whole train was often blocked by the loss of a wheel, 
or the breaking of gears, the wonder being, that a bare 
skeleton of either should be left after such battering. In 
case of these constant casualties, the uproar, confusion, dust 
and heat, made heavy demands upon the patience, industry 
and cheerfulness of the " Boys in Blue." They were always 
ready to help each other, and help themselves. They were 
often obliged to dismount, put shoulders to the wheel, or 
unload their stores, or with a yoke of oxen drag the grea,t 
laden wagon from its muddy bed. As to our ambulance, 
we always found willing hearts and hands to lift it and our- 
selves out of the slough of despond ; so gallant and grateful 
were the soldiers to their lady visitors. 

On one occasion, two ladies and myself, under the charge 
of an officer, left the Landing at 8 A.M.. to visit the entire 
■circle of field-hospitals. A brilliant morning sun promised 
a favorable day. We had scarcely advanced two miles, 
when the rain fell in torrents. We were in a confiscated 
carriage, drawn by confiscated blood-horses. "All is not 
gold that glitters." When the storm arose and beat upon our 
vehicle, its heavy wheels sank in the soft mud, and its fancy 
horses plunged, reared, and refused to advance; we longed 
for our light and homely ambulance, and the long-eared, 
persevering animals to carry us through. We were lodged 
between two trees, at the top of a steep rocky hill, one wheel 



HEAVY RAIN AND AMBULANCE DRIVERS. 307 

elevated in the air, and the other sliding towards the edge of 
the precipice, in the face of a huge train, thundering down 
the opposite declivity, in desperate haste to reach the Land- 
ing, and return before night. The gallant boys dropped 
their whips, struggled and tugged to extricate us in vain, as 
the prancing horses were of no avail. In the pouring ram, 
attended with incessant thunder, we alighted, and gained the 
opposite bluff, after planting all our rubbers on the hill-side,- 
as they were drawn from our feet by the tenacious mud, as 
by a boot-jack. We sought the shelter of a spreading tree, 
but the lightning which played above and around us, like 
will-o'-wisps on the dark moor, drove us to the clearing, 
where we stood and braved the descending torrents. 

I hailed an ambulance, and begged a ride to the tent of 
the sick Colonel of the 113th Illinois Regimen*. The favor 
was cheerfully accorded, and specific directions given by the 
officer. Two frail boys, under twenty years of age, and just 
out of hospital, convalescing from typhoid fever, were the 
drivers. The swampy plain had become a lake, no road 
could be seen, no landmarks discovered. Three long hours 
the poor boys waded alternately, to find the road they were 
seeking. When we at last stumbled on the tent, we found a 
river had rushed through it, from the bayou in its rear. The 
fires were washed out, kindling fc wet, not a hope for a 
cup of hot coffee for the half-drowned, shivering convales- 
cents. Who can blame us for giving them a draught of old 
Bourbon to warm them till they could reach the Landing, 
and with the money given to them buy a warm supper ? 
Poor fellows ! how often I have wondered whether a relapse 
of fever, or the bullets of the enemy, had cut off their young 



308 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

lives. Each of them said he had a good, kind mother. I 
was obhged to sit on a lounge with feet tucked under me, 
or walk through wet sand to attend to the invalid, whose cot 
barely escaped the rising water. 

Many weary days and nights I watched in this tent. They 
seem in the distance like ghostly dreams, and come back at 
midnight to haunt me. There was intense isolation, but no 
loneliness in that tent, at the Chickasaw Bayou. The mut- 
tering of delirium, in which sharp, quick orders were given, 
companies called out, men cheered and led to battle, grated 
painfully on a strained ear and aching heart. Huge insects, 
stinging and whirling round the single candle that flickered 
in the night-air, green-eyed lizards, slimy serpents, hooting 
owls, and flitting bats, were companions as cheery and as 
welcome as Macbeth's witches on the midnight heath. The 
trains of army wagons, lumbering over the road all night 
long, wdthin a few hundred yards ; the neighing and bray- 
ing of the horses and mules at an adjoining ' coral,' the crack 
of the rifle, sometimes of platoons of musketry, suggesting 
the rebels might at any moment, in desperation, cut their way 
through our army lines and sweep over the spot where our 
tent stood, the crash of artillery and screaming of shells, as 
they poured into the doomed city, forbade all silence, made 
night hideous, atid crazed the wounded patient's brain. As 
I sat shivering and melting by turns, now wet with cold 
dew that pierced my vitals, and anon steamed by the pro- 
tecting blanket, veering from Scylla to Charybdis in vain 
efforts to be comfortable, I could but follow those deadly 
missives in 'their fiery flight, from Parrotts, howitzers and 
mortars. My heart ached as I flmcied the flight of the men. 



TORNADO AT VICKSBURG. 809 

women and children, who had refused to abandon the city 
when warned by Gen. Grant, before the siege. After the 
surrender, the battered -^jialls of the beleagured city, and the 
caves of retreat, proved that my imagination had not ex- 
ceeded the horrors of those days and nights, in the besieged 
city of Yicksburg. " Oh ! Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! thou 
wouldest not ! Behold, thy house is left unto thee desolate." 
At Vicksburg, I was an unwilling witness of a southern 
tornado. At 5 p.m. I left the tent for the Landing, to re- 
main till the following day, as the threatening of the rebel 
outbreak was so serious, that it was considered impracticable 
for a woman to remain in the encampment during that 
night. The day had been clear, the sun scorching — its 
oblique rays were grateful as I entered the ambulance. In 
accordance with orders, the drivers took a back and thickly 
wooded road, to avoid the wagon trains coming from the 
Landing. Within twenty minutes after I left, I observ^ed a 
cloud of inky blackness, just above the horizon. As it rose 
and spread impetuously, its rim was exquisitely bordered 
with a pure white fringe, that floated in graceful beauty 
from the edge of thej|towering masses of cloud that soon 
veiled the canopy with darkness. The artillery of heaven 
blazed and crashed, till my heart almost ceased to beat. 
Even the stolid mules betrayed fear, brayed, plunged and 
swayed from side to side, threatening to overturn the ambu- 
lance. Suddenly, after a terrific peal of thunder, a deep 
moan, as from a lion's lair, swept through the forest. In an 
instant, huge trees cracked, twisted and were uprooted as 
though a mighty, but unseen hand, was plucking them for 
titanic warfare, whose artillery w^as playing round us. We 



310 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

were on a rude bridge, flanked bj huge forest-trees. Retreat 
was not possible, and an advance extremely difficult. At 
tbis juncture I perceived a monste^pine, slowly, but surely, 
bending towards us. Escape seemed impossible. Breathless 
and speechless, I covered my face with the blanket, and 
bade farewell to earth. With the energy of desperation, the 
drivers lashed the brutes into a fearful leap, that carried the 
ambulance its length ahead, and as the forest king stretched 
his great trunk across the spot we had just passed, he grazed 
the rear part of the vehicle, sufficiently to teach us gratitude 
to God for this signal deliverance. Three miles of timber 
were traversed on that terrific night, before we reached the 
Landing. Although the tornado lasted but a few minutes, 
the tottering trees "and broken branches continued to fall, 
and made this ride one of the shuddering memories of my life. 
The soldiers who drove the ambulance, though terrified at 
the time, forgot it as soon as passed, and did not consider it 
worth repeating the next day, when we returned to the tent 
— they were so inured to horrors. They had toiled up the 
bluffs of Vicksburg, in the face of cannon and rifles, with 
no protection but God's shield, and t]»ught not of what was 
behind, but pressed forward. 

On a bright June day I visited the field-hospitals at 
Vicksburg, and was rejoiced to find them so clean, comfort- 
able and well supplied. They were situated on a clearing, 
on a pleasant green bluff, with sufficient trees for shade. 
There were three long rows of new hospital tents abreast, 
with accommodations for several hundred men, provided with 
comfortable cots, mattresses, soft pillows, clean sheets and 
pillow-slips — even musquito-bars admirably arranged on up- 



LUTHERAISr MINISTER IN THE RANKS. 311 

rights. The refreshing air that rustled through the tents kept 
the atmosphere pure, and fanned the patients with their wel- 
come breezes. Experience had taught that hospital-tents were 
more favorable to the health of sick and wounded men, than 
even well-built and furnished barracks, houses or transports. 
Cleanliness, purity, abundance of fresh air, suitable and 
nourishing food, were the best medicines for the army; 
and in proportion to their prevalence, the percentum of 
deaths was diminished. 

In passing through those inviting hospitals, I noticed a 
swarthy-visaged man, with an intellectual face, sitting 
upright in his cot. He was a German, and in answer to my 
inquiries, informed me that he had. been a Lutheran minister 
of the gospel. From motives of patriotism and religion, he 
had enlisted, to do his adopted country service, and influence 
his comrades, many of whom had been the sheep of his flock. 
I asked him if, after two years' experience, he felt satisfied 
as to the wisdom of his course. He replied, "Entirely so." 
He said he believed he had done more foi; the souls of men 
than he could have done in his home pulpit ; that his 
example had raised a company for a regiment, and that he had 
done some good fighting for a glorious cause, and was not so 
badly wounded but that he hoped and expected to do more. 
He had the spirit of Luther, as well as his name, ecclesiastically. 
He added, if God should spare his life through the war, lie 
meant to spend a j'^ear in travelling through the length and 
breadth of the land, to tell what God and the Commissions 
had done for the army. He said the good people at home, 
who had held on to the boys by their gifts and delegates, 
should know the blessed results of their work, which must 



812 THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

henceforth form a precedent for the wars of all Christian 
nations. War was a terrific evil, never justifiable but in the 
cause of truth and righteousness ; and then proceeded to tell 
how greatly its horrors had been mitigated, and its demoraliz- 
ing influences turned aside, by the wise, liberal, humane and 
Christian efforts of the Commissions, put forth in the war of 
the rebellion. Such testimony is weighty and valuable. 

From these tents I passed to a hospital in an adjoining 
house, filled with badly wounded men, from the assaults of 
tbe 19th and 21st of May. As I entered, a group of soldiers 
was gathered around a cot near the door. All fell back, to 
give place to me. There lay a 3'oung man, apparently 
twenty-five years of age, with a fine Saxon face, regular fea- 
tures, and fair hair, over a broad, square brow. He was white 
and silent, seemingly insensible. Beads of water stood on 
his face, and his breathing was not perceptible. In reply to 
my inquiries, I was told he was an ofiicer that led a " forlorn 
hope," on the 19tl]. He had been fearfully mangled, had 
just bad a severe^ convulsion, subdued by chloroform, and 
the surgeon had decided he could live but a few hours. 

Involuntarily I passed my hand across his clammy brow, 
and exclaimed, "Poor fellow!" With a suddenness that 
startled the group, the great blue e3^es, as if touched by a 
spring, opened widel}^, and with a clear, low voice, he said, 
" Madam, there are no poor fellows here ; we are all soldiers." 
"Excuse me, I should have said brave fellows!" "Not 
that, either; I only did my dntj. When I entered the army 
I gave my soul to God, and my life to tlie country. It 
matters little whether I die this day, or this year, or many 
years hence. AVhen God has done with me. He will take 



THE BRAVE LIEUTENANT IN HOSPITAL, 313 

me; and, by His strength, I am ready to go." It was as 
though an angel spake, and the sublimity of the scene awed 
all present into silence. I answered, " Surely you have only 
done your duty ; but so many fall short of that. You must 
allow mc, in the name of the women of the land, to thank 
you for what you have done." He smiled gratefully. 
" Where do your friends reside ? " I asked. He sighed. 
" They are all in the fatherland, which I left when 
young, 1 enlisted in Chicago." " I came from there." His 
blue eye kindled, as he exclaimed, "God bless you! I owe 
all I am, and all I ever expect to be, to a good man there. 
Mr. Moody led me to the cross, and there I found peace. 
Tell him when you go home joi\ saw me ; that I am will- 
ing to live or die, as God wills." After such exertion I 
enjoined silence, and turned away with a heart too full for 
utterance. 

One year after this tim.e, at a meeting of the Christian 
Commission, on Sabbath evening, a badly wounded officer, 
on crutches, was assisted to the front of the platform, to ad- 
dress the assembled multitude, and I recognized at once the 
features of the brave lieutenant, whom I had thought dead 
almost a year before. He said but little, hs he was still very 
feeble. He told the audience this was the first occasion on 
which he had left his room since he had arrived in Chicago ; 
that he blessed God for the privilege of fighting and suffer- 
ing for liberty and the Union, and the people for what they 
had done through the Christian and Sanitary Commissions. 
At the close of the meeting I ventured to approach him, 
scarcely expecting recognition. As he grasped my hand 
over his crutch, he exclaimed, "I saw you in the hospital at 



314 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Vicksburg." A brief interview revealed the fact that his 
injuries would cripple him for months, if not permanently, 
and thus add another to the list of young lives shadowed, 
if not cut off, by the war. After my return to Chicago I 
learned the previous history of this young man, which was 
so remarkable, that, by permission, I insert it, to complete 
the wondrous story : 

Lieutenant possessed marked ability, and had the 

advantage of a liberal education. He was a determined 
infidel, and resolved to devote his life to the dissemination of 
his principles. He travelled extensively in the North- West, 
delivering lectures.' At a town in the interior of the State 
he was told his efforts would be useless, as the young people 
of the place were organized for benevolent and religious action 
by a devoted young man, whose influence could not be re- 
sisted. The young lecturer warily made his acquaintance. 
Of captivating manners and superior education, he succeeded 
in inducing him to renounce his fliith. He then left, to lecture 
elsewhere, but was perpetuall}^ haunted by the memory of his 
new convert, and resolved, at the end of six months, to return 
and ascertain his fate. He found that he had been retro2;rad- 
ing in all respects, and was then dying. Rushing to his 
room, he exclaimed, " In whose faith are you dying ? " 
" Yours f^ answered the young man, with a look of despair, 
and shortly expired. Constant journeys, and eager pursuit 
of pleasure, failed to lay the ghost of a torturing conscience. 
The still small voice whispered, "What if I deceived him? " 
In his restless wanderings he drifted into a noonday prayer- 
meeting at Chicago. Mr. Moody, observing his extreme 
agitation during the meeting, drew from him at its close the 



BOY HEROES AT VICKSBUEG. 315 

confession that he carried about him the means of self- 
destruction, and had decided to put an end to his existence 
that night. 

After deep and bitter penitence he found peace in behev- 
ing, and at once entered on missionary work among the des- 
titute and ignorant of Chicago. lie entered his name on the 
first list of volunteers raised there, and was promoted from the 
ranks, purely on his merits, to the position which he held 
when he led the "forlorn hope" in the first assault on the 
intrenchments of Vicksburg. May God bless and restore the 
brave lieutenant ! 

In the hospital in which I found this noble fellow, I met a 
nine-year-old hero, minus two fingers. His hand was cov- 
ered with bloody bandages, the shattered members having 
been amputated. I stroked his almost infantile head, and 
asked what was the matter ? Straightening himself with 
an important air, he replied, " I'm a drummer-boy, and had 
my fingers shot off yesterday." " What will you do now ? " 
Looking up roguishly, he answered, "Drum on, Is'pose; 
I've been tryin' it, and can drum as well without 'em as 
with 'em ; " and off he darted, followed by cheers and roars of 
laughter from the convalescent soldiers. He was evidently 
the pet of the hospital, as such boys always were. 

At the first assault on Yicksburg, while the battle was 
raging, a boy in the employ of a regiment crossed the plain, 
where iron bail was falling, to reach one in action. " How 
can I help you?" he cried. "Bring us some ammunition," 
said Col. Malmsbury, "and be sure it's calibre fifty-four." 
The boy darted off", returned with his apron filled, and 
again half crossed the exposed plain, under a heavy fire, 



316 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

when a bullet struck his hip ; still he went forward, limp- 
ing. Gen. Sherman's quick eye saw him, and he cried 
out, " Go instantly to the hospital." " I can't," said the 
boy. " You must," said the General. " I can't," said the 
young hero ; " they need ammunition, calibre fifty-four." 
" Go instantly to the hospital, and I'll attend to the ammuni- 
tion." As he trudged on, he bethought him he had not 
been sufficiently explicit. Slowly and painfully he limped 
back and called out, " General Sherman ! " but the great chief- 
tain was%bsorbed in directing the battle. Again he sung out, 
" General Sherman ! " No answer. Still a step nearer, and a 
louder cry, " General Sherman ! " " What now ? " came quick 
and sharp. " General ! o-emember, calibre fifty-four^ The wound- 
ed boy dragged himself to the hospital, and so severe was the 
injury that he was confined there for months. I insert the 
answer to a letter which I wrote to General Sherman, to ascer- 
tain the sequel of this boy's history. I had heard that through 
his influence he had obtai;ied a place in a militarj^ academy. 

Headquaetees Militaey Division op the Mississippi, i 
Saint Louis, April 23, 1866. \ 

Mrs. A. II. Iloge^ Box 947, Chicago. 

Dear Madam, — The boy Orion P. Howe, who came to 
me durinof the assault at Vicksburs;, with the messao-e from 
Col. Malmsbury for more cartridge, calibre 54, is now a cadet 
at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. I saw him 
there myself during a visit in January last. 
Yours, truly, 

W. T. Shermaist, Major-General. 

Still another sketch of a boy-hero, met by Mrs. Livermore 
and myself, on an eastern trip. Mrs. L. thus tells the story of 



DRUMMER-BOY WITH ONE LEG. 317 

THE DRUMMER-BOY. 

" Our return route was b}'' way of Philadelphia, as both Mrs. 
n. and myself wished to pay a flying visit to relatives in that 
city and suburbs. On my way to the Camden ferry, I met 
a cheery-faced lad, dressed in the army uniform, who had 
lost a leg, and was walking with a crutch. I could not do 
otherwise than accost him. 

" ' My child, you have been very unfortunate ! ' 

" ' Yes, ma'am,' as cheerfully as though I had said, ' It is a 
pleasant day.' 

" ' Do you belong to the army ? ' 

" ' Yes, ma'am — I'm a drummer.' 

" ' Did you lose your leg in battle ? ' 

'' ' Yes, ma'am. I suppose it was partly my fault, though. 
I was told not to go down where the fight was the 
heaviest, for I wasn't needed ; but I wanted to see the fun, 
and went down, and a piece of a shell splintered my ankle so 
that I had to have my foot taken off.' 

" ' My poor boy ! I am very sorry for you ; and now you 
must be a cripple for life.' 

" ' Oh ! well, it ain't so bad as it might be ; I am going to 
have an artificial leg some time. I might have one now, but 
I should outgrow it in a year, and as they cost fifty dollars, a 
fellow can't afford to have a new leg every spring, as he can 
a new pair of trousers. But when I get grown I shall have 
one, and then I can go it as well as ever.' 

" Blessings on the little cheery-faced thirteen-year old phi- 
losopher ! In his sunny nature and hopeful spirit he has a 
greater fortune than the treasures of Astor would be withdlit 
these mental resources." 



818 ' THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

During my sojourn at Yicksburg I visited Gen. Sherman 
at his headquarters, at 7 o'clock, a.m. He and his staff had 
just risen from their frugal meal, in a tent on a commanding 
bluff. I was fully prepared to find him " every inch a soldier," 
with his determined mouth, keen eye, and restlessly active- 
movements. His nonchalant resolution was strikingly appa- 
rent. He had entered the contest to take the soldier's risk, 
and accept a soldier's fate. He considered the capture of 
Vicksburg a '•'■fait accompli^'' but only the beginning of the end, 
the time of which consummation none could divine. Like 
Abraham Lincoln, he thought the job a " big one," but was 
prepared to finish it — to strike annihilating blows from Chat- 
tanooga to Atlanta, and sweep through the cotton States with 
his impetuous command ; in his own words, till his country 
should "rise superior to all faction ; till its flag should be adored 
and respected by ourselves and all the powers of the earth." 

The enthusiasm of Sherman's army for their leader was 
unsurpassed. A rigid and uncompromising disciplinarian, 
he was loved by his men for his integrity, and admired 
for his genius and bravery. The story was simply told, 
by a group of blue-coats, the day after my visit to him : 
" Sherman is the bully General. He knows all that is worth 
knowing, and can do anything. He must be obeyed, to be 
sure; but he puts on no airs, but comes into the trenches 
and rifle-pits as if he were our brother, and with a hand on 
our shoulder encourages us." ^^ Thafs so.f'' said a young 
soldier; "I'd die for him any time." "Boys! three cheers 
and a tiger for Sherman ! " and the rollicking fellows, with 
aleap and a bound, started for the second line of rifle-pits. 

I could not return on the " City of Alton," as my patient 



WOUNDED OFFICERS ON THE "ALICE DEAN." 319 

absolutely refused to leave his post, and the steamer, laden 
with wounded Illinois soldiers, went north to homes and 
hospitals, and I abode in the tent. At length, the imperative 
orders of the corps and regimental surgeons, backed by the 
assurance it was the only chance for life, placed us on board the 
" Alice Dean," a handsome new dispatch-boat, about to leave 
for Memphis, The passengers were few, and were composed 
entirely of wounded ofl&cers and their attendants. Two of 
the number had each lost a leg. Another was raked b}'' the 
bullets from the intrenchments the entire length of the spine, 
as he toiled bending up the Vicksburg bluffs. These fright- 
ful wounds were common at the siege, and were confined to 
assaults of this character. 

A captain fro'm Ohio had lost his leg, and was travelling 
alone. He had left a wife, five children, and a profitable 
business, to enter the service. The manly fellow said he 
could not afford a servant, as h« must provide for his family ; 
and although emaciated by suffering and loss of blood, was 
as full of pluck and patriotism as if rejoicing in a pair of 
limbs and vigorous body. I added him to my list of patients. 
His wound suddenly opened. There was no surgeon on 
board, and it was evident he had but little blood to sustain 
him. I plied my meagre skill till a gunboa^ hove in sight, 
when the captain lay to till the surgeon came on board, and 
gave me painful lessons in surgery, for future emergencies, 
while he dressed the bloody stump. 

Slowly we steamed up north, as the opposing current was 
very strong. On a pleasant day, when viie had finished our 
morning duties, the only lady on board, the wife of a wounded 
officer, rushed towards me, pale with terror, exclaiming, 



320 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

"Hark! they're firing into us!" I had heard the crack 
of rifles and the boom of cannon, but such sounds had be- 
come so familiar, and my mind was so engrossed, they were 
unnoticed. As she spoke, the soHd shot struck the boat, till 
she reeled^ the splintered boards cracked and flew in all 
directions, and the employees of the boat rushed to the cabin 
for protection, dodging and shrieking. I retreated to my son's 
state-room, which was providentially on the side of the boat 
opposite the firing. My orders from him were, to lie flat on 
the floor under the berth, with my feet toward the balls, and 
io Icee^ cool. I obeyed the first two orders promjytly^ and the 
last also, if it meant a drenching sweat and shivering chills. 
The six-pounders poured into the boat — grape, canister and 
minies riddled her sides. Glass and crockery crashed, splin- 
ters flew, the terrified employees rushed and yelled, the 
horses on the lower deck- pran*ced and snorted. The great 
danger to be apprehended was from the explosion of the 
boiler. One solid ball pierced it six inches above the steam- 
chamber ; and another made a clean hole through the smoke- 
stack, A deck-hand was cut in twain by a solid shot, and 
another severely wounded. 

In the midst of all the terror and confusion the pilot 
stood at his ex||0sed post, and one intrepid fireman, single- 
handed, continued to ply the fires to the utmost, thus afford- 
ing us the only means of escape from the barbarous horde 
of guerillas. After the danger was over we gathe'red round 
the captain to learn its meaning. It appears that Chalmers' 
entire force, of 5,0©0 men, including a batterj^, were collected 
at the bend, where the river was divided by an island ; we 
being on the enemy's side, which was the channel of the 



UNDER FIRE ON A MISSISSIPPI STEaMER. 821 

river. Our close quarters and slow time up stream, rendered 
it extremely difficult to avoid capture. The wounded officers, 
whose state-rooms were on the side towards the enemy, in 
desperation got out of their berths, God only knows how, 
and reached the cabin. They were found lying on the floor, 
their state-rooms and beds riddled and raked by grape, 
canister and shot. A grape-shot, taken from the captain's 
pillow, is preserved as a memorial of guerilla warfare, and 
of six of the longest minutes of my life, when under fire on 
a Mississippi steamer. 

A council of war was held of all sick and wounded 
officers, to decide upon future action, as the captain said 
the same force would be met ten miles higher up. The 
peninsula was but three miles across, and he supposed the 
barbarous horde had started at once to meet and give us a 
warm reception. " No surrender," was the unanimous deci- 
sion, all feeling they would prefer risk of life to imprison- 
ment or capture by such a lawless band. A purse of fifty 
dollars was made up for the fireman. The amount of 
destruction to the boat and its furniture, in so short a time, 
was incredible, and proved the severity of the attack. The 
captain said the force was the largest, the best armed and 
officered, that he had seen during the war, and that he could 
single out the officers who directed the attack. The Com- 
mercial, a large steamer braced to another coming from be- 
low for repairs, hove in sight of the rebels, immediately after 
our passage. They anticipated a double prize and let ua 
slip. The daniaged boat lay toward the enemy, and formed 
a shield to the Commercial, into which the passengers of both 

fled for protection. The galling fire fearfully shattered the 

21 " 



322 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

broken steamer. She had done her duty well, however, in 
saving the Commercial and many lives on both steamers. 

■Guerillas abounded at that time, more than ever before 
or afterwards. The pilot-houses of all boats were protected 
with barricades of heavy timbers and cotton mattresses. 
The captain, with his glass, spent much time on the look-out; 
the blows of floating logs, hidden snags and rushing waters, 
gave occasion for continual apprehension. Arrived at Mem- 
phis, I breathed freely once more, and felt the danger past. 

Alas ! within an hour, we found that the beautiful Ruth, 
on which we expected to have taken passage, had been sent 
some miles up the river, carrying a battery and a regiment, 
to clean out a nest of guerillas that had committed depreda- 
tions on steamers above Memphis. 

A few days subsequent to our "rencontre," a trans- 
port was coming frcjm below filled with discharged and 
furloughed soldiers. As the boat was tied up to procure 
wood, a band of guerillas attacked it. The case was des- 
perate — the sick and wounded soldiers being comparatively 
unarmed. A dozen or more of these bandits had entered the 
transport, when a discharged soldier from Ohio seized a 
hatchet, coolly walked forward, and amid a perfect storm of 
bullets severed the rope, and the transport glided rapidly 
down stream, carrying off the guerillas on board, prisoners. 
The brave man, whose name I regret not to be able to record, 
refused the thank-offering of a liberal purse, saying he had 
only done his duty, and did not need it; but added: "Give 
it to those who need it more," and it was given. 

On this terrible journey I took no note of time. Between 
night vigils, harassing fears, and endless work by day, it 



EE-ENLISTMENT OF VETERANS. 823 

seemed an age of horrors, and capped the climax of my army- 
life. When once again at home, protected by civil law and 
order, surrounded by friends and relatives, enjoying the com- 
forts of civilized life, and able to sleep without fear of rebels, 
stray balls, bursting boilers or hidden snags, methought 
what hourly thanks, what ceaseless toil, should be bestowed 
on the brave men daring and enduring all this, and a thou- 
sand-fold more, to insure the blessings we so carelessly 
accepted and enjoyed. 

A most gratifying increase of supplies and money poured 
into the North -Western Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Com- 
mission, at Chicago. These enabled it to enlarge its policy, 
and add ^^ prevention ^^ to its list of duties. In addition to 
hospital work, the Commission at once sent rations of vege- 
tables and anti-scorbutics to regiments in the field. It fol- 
lowed in the rear of battles, and supplied the hospitals 
of Memphis, Yicksburg, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Mission 
Eidge, Lookout, Marietta, Kingston and Atlanta, and dealt 
out its stores to veterans, marching with shoeless feet across 
the mountains of Eastern Tennessee to Knoxville, subsisting 
on three ears of corn a day, and on quarter rations for 
weeks afterwards — dauntless men ! that not only dared to 
reenlist themselves, but called on others to fill up their 
skeleton regiments, some of which were reduced to one 
hundred members. 

The influence of these hardy veterans on the morale of 
the army, and their stimulus ,to new enlistments, were only 
understood and appreciated by those who mingled with 
and led them. Their active efforts in the field did not 
equal the glory of this reconsecration, after so bitter an 



324 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

experience. It presented to tlie world tlie most surprising 
leaf in the chapter of the heroism of the "rank and file" 
of the army. 

•As Sherman's victorious hosts swept through the cotton 
States, winning fresh laurels before the dew was dried from 
those just gathered, the army of home-workers kept pace 
with those in the field, and rolled in supplies with marvellous 
celerity. The ball was kept bravely in motion at the rooms of 
the Commission. The correspondence increased in intensity 
and rapidity. Quaint, spicy circulars, of a few lines for 
specialties, were scattered; and the caption could be 
divined by the answers that were hourly brought, in the 
shape of firkins of butter, barrels of pickles, krout, onions 
or potatoes. , 

The " Soldiers' Rest of Chicago " was the headquarters of 
soldiers in transitu, returning home to reenlist, brave fellows ! 
or going back to the field, with the glory of a second conse- 
cration. These veterans visited the rooms of the Sanitary 
Commission to procure aid in some shape ; or, at least, to 
record their gratitude, and receive welcome and encourage- 
ment in addition to that so lavishly given at the Soldiers' 
Rest. Large opportunity was thus afforded to obtain a 
knowledge of the personnel and morale of the army. Sur- 
geons, military and sanitary officers, resorted thither, and 
added their statements to the official and accurate reports 
from various departments, thus completing the circle of 
reliable sanitary information. 

Female nurses from the hospitals of Memphis, Yicksburg, 
Nashville, Huntsville, Chattanooga, Lookout, Atlanta, Kings- 
ton, etc., etc., reported at the Commission Rooms, in their 



BROKEN-HEARTED MOTHERS AT SAN. COM. ROOMS. 325 

journeys back and forth, and gave accounts of the interior 
life of the various hospitals. Eepresentatives of the hun- 
dreds of aid societies tributary to the Commission, continu- 
ally visited the "Eooms" to procure information, bulletins 
and circulars, to see the " Boys in Blue " themselves, and 
hear and see what was being done, for the satisfaction of the 
donors. The shelves, store-house and books of the Com- 
mission always stood open, and invited investigation. 

The saddest of all the visitors were the wives and mothers 
of the soldiers, who came in large numbers, after the frequent 
battles, to obtain information concerning their loved ones. 
The value of the Sanitary Hospital Directory of the Com- 
mission was then appreciated, and many a meek, white-faced 
woman came day after day for an answer to the telegram, or 
letter sent by us, to bear back joy or sorrow. 

A gentle, refined and widowed mother, past fifty, already 
,clad in weeds for the loss of one patriot son, came to learn 
the fate of the other, after the battle of Nashville. She had 
just taken a letter from the ofiice, informing her he had lost 
his leg above the knee, and was likely to do well. She could 
not wait for the mail to tell her how well. She said " he 
had been drooping, and had a touch of the scurvy, but could 
not be persuaded to remain off duty when the battle began." 
My heart felt heavy. I knew, under those circumstances, 
what must be his inevitable doom, and proposed to tele- 
graph, took her direction, and promised to send the answer. 
Two hours in advance of the time appointed, I shuddered as 
I saw the white face coming, for I had at that moment opened 
the telegram. " What shall be done with the body ? " I 
hurried past her to the door, for how could I tell her? 



826 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

With a mother's instinct she read my face, meekly clasped 
her hands, and sank fainting on a chair. After her return to 
consciousness I took her to her desolate home, which she 
soon left, to pass the remnant of her childless life among 
distant kindred. 

Again : a bright-looking woman called to secure transpor- 
tation to St. Louis, where she had heard her son was lying 
ill, from, a fellow-soldier who had left the hospital two weeks 
previous. He had expressed an earnest desire to see his 
mother. She added, "I suppose he is homesick, for he is 
my oldest child and only son, and a great darling." I 
advised her to wait until I could telegraph, as he might have 
been removed to some other hospital, or returned to his regi- 
ment. I took her direction and promised to send the answer. 
"With the restlessness of suspense, she entered the rooms as 
our messenger was leaving for her residence with the tele- 
gram, " He has been dead ten days, and died raving for his 
mother." She saw the' envelope, and exclaimed, "Is that for 
me? " " It is, but sealed ; you had better take it home and 
read it." Not heeding, she tore off the envelope hastily, 
gave a shriek so piercing and prolonged, that strong men, 
accustomed to army life, fled from the room. She lay almost 
lifeless in my arms as I accompanied her to her home and 
supported her into the room, where sat a fair young girl of 
sixteen, her only remaining child, and the idol of her 
brother. The frantic mother shrieked, "He's dead! he's 
dead ! do you hear it ? " Over the scene of agony that fol- 
lowed I would fain draw the curtain I have unwillingly 
raised, to sketch a representative case, alas! of numberless 
others. 



BEREAVED MOTHER AND WIFE AT CAIRO. 327 

I could tell of a widowed mother, who had come from 
an eastern city to Cairo, in response to the message that her 
only son was wounded at Donelson. She had wealth, po- 
sition, and this only son, more precious than all. As she 
drew near to Cairo her anxiety became intense. A surgeon 
from the hospital entered the car in search of her. He said, 
" Madam, I left your son a few hours since, greatly improved. 
He is expecting you." As she leaned upon his arm, on her 
way to the ward, he remarked, " That is the dead-house." 
"Allow me to glance at it," said the relieved mother. "I 
have read so much of such places, I long to see one." He 
walked through, and drew aside the sheet. " My son ! my 
son ! " burst from the lips of the mother before she fell 
insensible, as the light of her life went out, A sudden chill 
had carried off the brave young soldier immediately after 
the surgeon left, and in the terrible succession of patients he 
had not been informed of his death. 

The next car from the east bore a young wife who had 
weaned her first babe at six weeks old, to obey the lightning 
summons to Cairo, from New York. Day and night she 
had travelled; and now, within sight of the goal, the track 
was overflowed, the cars could not proceed, and there she 
lay all night, panting in agony. On her arrival at Cairo the 
next morning, a friend from the army was awaiting her. She 
screamed, as she caught sight of him, " How is ruy husband ? " 
He shook his head and answered, " Had you arrived one 
hour sooner you could have seen him. All night long he 
called for you, and begged God to spare liim to see you. ' I 
hear the cars^ — she's coming 1 ' he said an hour since, and then 
gently breathed out his life." The ghastly young wife leaned 



828 THE BOYS IN BLUE, 

forward with clenched hands and tearless eyes, listening 
breathlessly to every word. At the close, she slipped off the 
seat in silence, and writhed on the floor in merciful uncon- 
sciousness. 

In an hospital at St. Louis I noticed a woman seated be- 
side the cot of a youth, apparently dying. He was insensi- 
ble to all around : she seemed no less so. Her face was 
bronzed, and deeply lined with care and suffering. Her 
eyes were' bent on the ground, her arms folded, her features 
rigid as marble. I stood beside her, but she saw me not 
— heeded me not. I said, " Is this young man a relative of 
yours ? " Still no answer. " Can't I help you ? " With a sud- 
den start that electrified me, her dry eyes almost starting 
from the sockets, and her voice husky with agony, she said, 
pointing her attenuated finger to the senseless boy, " He is 
the last of seven sons — six have died in the army, and the 
doctor says he will die to-niglit," The flash of life passed 
from her face as suddenly as it came, her arms folded over 
her breast, she sank in her chair, and became, as before, the 
rigid impersonation of agony. 

Never has the patient sorrow of these home-suflerers been 
more touchingly depicted than in a recent poem, which is 
pronounced by the " London Westminster Eeview " to be 
unquestionably the finest American poem ever written. 

THE CLOSING SCENE. 

BY THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. 

" Withiu the sober realms of leafless trees 
The russet year inhaled the dreamy air ; 
Like sonae tanned reaper in his hours of ease, 
When all the fields are lying brown and bare. 



THE CLOSING SCENE, BY T. BUCHANAN READ. 329 

" The gray barns looking from their hazy hills, 
O'er the dun waters widening in the vales, 
Sent down the air a greeting to the mills, 
On the dull thunder of alternate flails. 

" All sights were mellowed, and all sounds subdued, 
The hills seemed further, and the stream sang low ; 
As in a dream, the distant woodman hewed 
His winter log with many a muffled blow. 

" The embattled forests, erewhile armed with gold. 
Their banners bright with many a martial hue, 
Now stood hke some sad, beaten host of old. 
Withdrawn afar in time's remotest blue. 

" On sombre wings the vulture tried his flight ; 

The dove scarce heard his sighing^iate's complaint ; 
And like a star slow drowTiing in the light 

The village church-vane seemed to pale and faint. 

" The sentinel cock upon the hill-side crew — 
Crew thrice — and all was stiUer than before ; 
Silent, till some replying warder blew 

His ahen horn, and then was heard no more. 

" Where erst the jay within the elm's tall crest, 

Made garrulous trouble round her unfledged young 
And where the oriole hung her swaying nest. 
By every light wind like a censer swung ; 

" Where swung the noisy martins of the eaves, 
The busy swallow circling ever near, 
Foreboding, as the rustic mind beheves. 
An early harvest and a plenteous year; 



330 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

" Where every bird that waked the vernal feast 

Shook the sweet slumber from its wings at morn, 
To warn the reaper of the rosy east; 
All now was sunless, empty and forlorn. 

" Alone from out the stubble piped the quail, 

And croaked the crow through all the dreary gloom ; 
Alone the pheasant, drumming in the vale, 
Made echo in the distant cottage loom. 

" There was no bud, no bloom upon the bowers ; 

The spiders moved their thin shrouds night by night; 
The thistle-down, the only ghost of flowers, 
Sailed slowly by, passed noiseless out of sight. 

" Amid all this, in this most dreary air, 

And where tli^ woodbine shed upon the porch 
Its crimson leaves, as if the year stood there, 
Firing the floor with its inverted torch ; 

" Amid all this, the centre of the scene, 

The white-haired matron with monotonous tread. 
Plied the swift wheel, and with her joyless mien 
Sat like a fate, and watched the flying thread. 

" She had known sorrow. He had walked with her, 
Oft supped, and broke with her the ashen crust. 
And in the dead leaves still she heard the stir 
Of his thick mantle traihng in the dust. 

" While yet her cheek was bright with summer bloom, 
Her country summoned, and she gave her all; 
And twice war bowed to her his sable plume — 
Re-gave the sword to rust upon the wall ; 



THE CLOSING SCENE, BY T. BUCHANAN EEAD. 331 

" Re-gave the sword, but not the hand that drew, 
And struck for hberty the dying blow ; 
Nor him who to his sire and country true, 
Fell 'mid the ranks of the invading foe. 

" Long, but not loud, the drooping wheel went on 
Like the low murmur of a hive at noon; 
Long, but not loud, the memory of the gone 

Breathed through her lips a sad and tremulous tone. 

" At last the thread was snapped, her head was bowed; 
Life dropped the distaff through her hands serene ; 
And loving neighbors smoothed her careful shroud, 
While death and winter closed the autumn scene." 



332 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XX. 

Necessity for increased supplies. — Appeal to pulpits. — Resolution to 
inaugurate a great Northwestern Sanitary Fair. — Resolution to in- 
augurate a great Sanitary Fair. — Sketch of the Pioneer Fair. — Work 
of preparation. — Pittsburg contributions. — Procession. — Lake Coun- 
ty farmers. — Address of T. B. Bryan, Esq. — Incidents of the proces- 
sion. — Dining-hall. — Sensations of the Fair. — Letter from Memphis 
hospitals. — Letter from Quincy hospitals. — Letter from Hon. Schuyler 
Colfax. — Emancipation proclamation. — Correspondence with Presi- 
dent Lincoln. — Grold watch presented to the President. — Incidents 
of the Fair. — Soldiers' dinner. — Anna Dickinson's Address. — Reso- 
lutions at close of the Fair. — List of officers of the Commission. 

The visits of Mrs. Livermore and myself to the army had 
convinced us, not only of the value of sanitary relief to the 
sick in hospitals, but of the necessity of large accessions of 
money and supplies to meet the increased demands of our 
suffering army. "We had appealed to the pulpits of the 
North-West for a simultaneous collection, and to the aston- 
ishment of all concerned, had received $15,000 in response. 
We felt assured there were depths of patriotism yet to be 
fathomed; and after various colloquies and visits to the 
branches and aid societies, to feel the pulse of the people, 
we determined to strike out in a bold and novel course, and 
inaugurate a great North- Western Sanitary Fair, as the most 
certain and remunerative plan to fill the treasury of the 



SKETCH OF THE PIONEER FAIR. 333 

Commission, also to stimulate the courage of the soldiers and 
develop the patriotism of the country. 

This fair is entitled to special notice in this volume, as 
the Pioneer Fair of the magnificent series that resulted in 
the addition of millions of dollars to the treasury of the U. S. 
Sanitary Commission and its branches, for the benefit of the 
"heroes of the rank and file." It was emphatically The 
WomerHs Fair ; conceived, planned, and executed by the 
women of the North-West. This bantling of the prairies 
has been far excelled, in artistic beauty and golden charms, 
by younger sisters. It must, however, always maintain its 
prestige as the first-born of the family, with contour, linea- 
ments, and vigor that were not disdained by its successors, 
and secured them "a place and a name among the patriotic 
and benevolent developments of the war of the rebellion. A 
brief sketch of its outline and prominent features is all 
that space affords. These can be transferred to paper. 
Its glowing enthusiasm and intense patriotism can no more 
be depicted, than the foam on the breaker's crest, or the 
playful lightning that flits on the summer evening's cloud — 
indications of the slumbering forces that gave them birth, 
but evanescent and intangible, as they are beautiful and 
significant. 

We at once consulted the gentlemen of the Commission in 
regard to our plan, and they gave us their hearty approval, 
although they were startled at our expectations of $25,000 
nett proceeds. We called a mass meeting of the ladies of 
Chicago, who gave the hearty response that was their wont 
throughout the war. At this meeting a delegation of sixteen 
ladies was appointed to make arrangements for holding a Fair 



834 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

It was also determined to hold a council of women from the 
North-Western States, at Bryan Hall, September 1, 186.3, 
in order to place them " en rapport " with each other. A circu- 
lar for this object was issued, with the names of the most 
prominent women of the North-West appended, who had 
consented to lend their aid to the eflfort. 

So novel an undertaking occasioned great surprise, and 
some criticism. Some of our leading and patriotic men, who 
afterwards became the most assiduous helpers, gravely shook 
their heads, and prophesied failure to this quixotic scheme 
of womanly benevolence. But the women of the prairies 
were resolved. They had given their choicest treasures to 
fill regiments, hospitals and graves. Although many of 
them were clad in weeds and walked in a shadow, they 
determined that the sick and wounded of the army should 
be liberally supplied. Accordingly, an unexpected number 
of delegates responded to the call. One hundred and fifty 
met in Bryan Hall at the appointed hour, and double that 
number from the country, at various times, attended the 
sessions of the council. The delegates came empowered to 
pledge liberal and hearty cooperation. An executive com- 
mittee, and committees for various departments of the fair, 
were chosen, consisting of leading and active women from 
all the States embraced in the call. 

E. W. Blatchford, Esq., the treasurer of the North- Western 
Sanitary Commission, was unanimously elected treasurer of 
the Fair. His acknowledged ability and integrity were full 
guarantee to the public for the safe conduct of the funds. 
Mrs. Livermore, chairman of the committee on circulars, 
issued one forthwith, clearly defining nine classes of donations 



VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE FAIR. 335 

to be solicited, and the various articles in each class, with 
specific directions for sending them to Chicago. At a meet- 
ing of the executive committee of the Fair, held shortly after 
its appointment, Mrs. A. H. Hoge and Mrs. D. P. Livermore 
were elected "managers of the Fair." The following pro- 
gramme was arranged. The Fair was to continue two weeks : 

Bryan Hall was to be fitted up as a great bazaar, for the 
sale of fancy and useful articles of all varieties. 

Lower Bryan Hall was to be arranged as a dining hall, 
where hot dinners for fifteen hundred persons were to be 
daily served.* Light refreshments at all hours. 

Manufacturers' Hall was to be a temporary building in the 
rear of Bryan Hall, for the display and sale of all varieties 
of manufactured articles. 

The fine rooms in the theatre building, through the kind- 
ness of Mr. McYicker, were to be arranged as an Art gallery. 

A relic and trophy hall, secured through the efforts of 
Judge Bradwell, who presided over it, was to be extempo- 
rized in the Supervisors' Hall, in the Court-House. 

Metropolitan Hall was reserved for evening entertainments, 
which were abundantly and satisfactorily supplied by the 
genius of Mrs. Livermore. A North-Western Fair Gazette, 
to be called the "Volunteer," was to be published daily by 
the ladies. 

Price of admission to Bryan Hall, Manufacturers' and 
Supervisors' Hall included, fifty cents. Season tickets one 
dollar. 

Extra admission to Art gallery, twenty-five cents. Season 
tickets one dollar. 

The women in the city and country commenced the work 



336 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of preparation with zeal proportioned to tlie great occasion. 
The press extended a generous and voluntary support, and 
by its graphic descriptions and unstinted praise, added great- 
ly to the success of the Fair. Vigorous corespondence was 
opened with statesmen, military men, clergymen and aid 
societies. Circulars, with an earnest written line attached, 
were scattered like the forest leaves in autumn. On one 
day, sixteen bushels of mail matter were sent from the rooms"' 
of the Commission. The citizens and farmers became con- 
vinced the Fair would be a success, and came forward 
with donations of money, merchandise, manufactured arti- 
cles, grain and vegetables. In fine, they made up for lost 
time, and gave the generous support that men always 
give in the end, to genuine womanly efforts in the right 
direction. 

The furore increased and became contagious. Pittsburg, 
under the lead of Miss Eachael McFadden, one of the sani- 
tary powers of the West, sent donations in manufactured 
articles and money, to the amount of several thousand dol- 
lars, greatly multiplied in value by the encouragement and 
stimulus they afforded in our early effort. New York, Phil- 
adelphia, Boston and Connecticut, sent large and valuable 
donations. Ladies came from Pittsburg and Connecticut to 
take charge of their respective departments. 

The great Sanitary Fair was no longer an experiment, but 
a '''■fait accoviplV Opposition was silenced, faith increased, 
enthusiasm accelerated, until on the morning of October 
28, f863, in response to the call of the women of the 
North-West, the wheels of business in the city of Chicago 
stopped ; the courts were closed, the schools suspended, the 



OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE FAIR. 337 

streets filled with tens of thousands, in their holiday attire, to 
witness the opening .pageant of this great outpouring of the 
patriotism and benevolence of the people. We copy the 
graphic description of that glorious opening, rendered more 
brilliant by a bright October sun, from the columns of the 
'* Tribune." It cannot be improved, and will possess the merit 
of being outside testimony. The pageant measured three 
miles in length, and was composed, in part, of elements that 
had never before graced a civic procession in our republic. 
The "Tribune" says: 

" Yesterday will never be forgotten either in the city of 
Chicago or the West. Memorable it will remain, both as 
history and as patriotism. Such a sight was never before 
seen in the West on any occasion, and we doubt whether a 
more magnificent spectacle was ever presented in the streets 
of the Empire City itself, than the vast procession of chariots 
and horsemen, country wagons and vehicles, civic orders 
and military companies, both horse and foot, which con- 
verted Chicago for the time being into a vast theatre of 
wonders. From the earliest dawn of day, the heart of the 
mighty city was awake, and long before eight o'clock the 
streets were thronged with people. Citizens hurried excited- 
ly to and fro, and country women with their children came 
in, early in the morning, with colors tied to their bridles 
and decorating their wagons, and with miniature flags tied to 
their horses' heads. From. the house-tops, fi'om the tops of 
buildings, was displayed the glorious flag of liberty. By 
nine o'clock the city was in a roar ; the vast hum of multi- 
tudinous voices filled the atmosphere. Drums beat in all 

parts of the city, summoning the various processions, or 

21 



338 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

accompanying them to the great central rendezvous. Bands 
of music playing patriotic tunes, bands of young men and 
women singing patriotic songs, enlivened the streets. Every 
pathway was jammed with human bodies, so that it was 
with extreme difficulty any headway could be made. 

" The procession was advertised to assemble at nine o'clock 
precisely, and was composed of nine divisions. 

" As near ten o'clock as possible it started, banners flying, 
drums rolling, and all manner of brazen instruments stirring 
the air and the hearts of the vast multitude of people with 
thrilling, exciting music. On it came, that mighty pageant, 
following the course laid down in the printed programme. 

" Such earnest enthusiasm as accompanied the procession 
from first to last has rarely been witnessed on any occasion. 
It was a grand, sublime protest on behalf of the people 
against the poltroons and traitors, who were enemies to the 
Government and opposed to the war. Bursts of patriotic 
feeling came from many a loyal bosom on that memorable 
and never-to-be-forgotten day. The people seemed to over 
flow with loyalty, and could not contain themselves. For a 
long time they had been silent, nursing their wrath, keeping 
alive their love for the ' old flag,' keeping alive, also, their 
hatred of those who hated it — who had so long fired upon it 
in the rear — finding nowhere, in no event, in no newspaper, 
any adequate utterance of their passionate feeling. Now the 
mighty eloquence of that majestic and sublime procession 
spoke for them. That was the thing which they all along 
had wanted to say, but could not. They were in themselves 
cyphers— mere units of the nation ; but there, in all those 
thousands of men, they saw themselves multiplied into an 



SKETCH OF THE PROCESSION. 339 

incalculable, irresistible host, and felt that their hour of 
triumphant speech had come at last ! That was the answer 
which they thundered out in trumpet tones to the miserable 
traitors who had so long torn the bleeding heart of their 
country. ' I always knew,' said one old man at our elbow 
in the crowd, whilst we were watching the procession, ' that 
the heart of the people was all right. They didn't know 
their danger for a long while. Now they've found it out, 
and this is what they say about it.' 

" The procession was remarkable in many respects as a 
pageant, and particularly in the number of fine horses that 
accompanied it. A larger number of well-mounted men has 
rarely been seen in a civic procession. The police came at 
the head of it, under command of Capt. Wilson ; a fine body 
of men, with capital horses, looking as bold and brave as 
heroes. 

"After these followed, in stately march, the Michigan 
Sharpshooters, the 1st Eegiment of Illinois State Militia 
(Chicago City Guard), a fine lot of fellows, and the whole of 
their First Division, with their bands and flags and panoply 
of war. Amongst these, the carriage containing the captured 
flags attracted much attention, and excited great enthusiasm. 
These were the flaunting rags which the rebels had borne on 
many a. battle- field, and which our brave soldiers had torn 
from the hands of their standard-bearers. There they were, 
beUorwn exuvice, spoils of war, flaunting no longer in haughty 
defiance, at the head of rebel armies, but carried in triumph 
at the head of a civic procession in the peaceful streets of 
Chicago. Many a tearful memory they must have conjured 
up in the minds of the spectators there present ; whose sons 



340 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

were in the battles where these flags were taken, and many 
of whom are at rest forever in their bloody soil. 

" The Second and Third Division followed, and it was a 
most picturesque and pleasing sight to behold the long lines 
of members of the various lodges, societies and associations 
of the city in their many-colored regalias. Then came the 
benevolent societies, the religious orders making an imposing 
spectacle, which it would require the painter's art to repre- 
sent, and to do which no words could do anything like 
justice, 

"The Fifth Division, ushered by a fine band, and headed 
by J. Q. Hoyt, Esq., then came tramping by. There were 
scores of carriages, containing members of the press, the 
clergy, the municipal authorities, judges and officers of the 
courts, governors and ex-governors of the State, etc., etc, 

" One of the most strikingly beautiful features of the pro- 
cession, was a superbly decorated four-horse car, bearing the 
employees of the liberal-hearted "Wheeler & "Wilson Manu- 
facturing Company, represented in this city by Geo. B. 
Chittenden, Esq., and suggestive, by the presence of work- 
ing-women and sewing-machines at work upon soldiers' over- 
coats, of the utility of sewing-machines in clothing armies. 

" Then the Sixth Division, consisting of wagons choked 
with children, singing 'John Brown's Body lies mouldering 
in the Grave! ' 

" Then the Seventh Division, of butchers, horseshoers of 
ponies and oxen contributed ; and last, but not least, nay, 
greatest and mightiest of all, the sublime spectacle of 



lake county delegation. 341 

"the lake county delegation. 

" A Striking and noticeable feature of the procession was 
the long stfing of farmers' teams from Lake County. They 
came into the city at an early hour in the forenoon, and 
sufficiently early to join the procession. There were one 
hundred wagons, loaded to overflowing with vegetables, 
the staid old horses decorated with little flags, and larger 
flags pendant from the wagons, and held by stout farmer- 
hands. The leading wagon of the procession carried a 
large banner, bearing this inscription : — ' The Gift of 
Lake County to our Brave Boys in the Hospitals, 
through the Great North- Western Fair.' It was a 
grand and beautiful free-will offering of the sturdy farmers, 
whose hearts beat true to freedom 'and the Union. 

" No part of the procession attracted so many eyes, and 
no heartier cheers went up from the thousands who thronged 
the streets, than those given, and thrice repeated, for the 
Lake County farmers, and their splendid donations. There 
were no small loads. Every wagon was filled to overflowing 
with great heaps of potatoes and silver-skinned onions, 
mammoth squashes, huge beets and monster cabbages, 
barrels of cider and rosy apples, load after load, with many 
a gray-haired farmer driving, face weather-beaten, frame 
rugged, hands bronzed, and eyes sparkling with the excite- 
ment of the project his big heart conceived. And back of 
the farmer, mounted on the vegetables, were the boys, 
filled to repletion with fun. 

" At the end of the route of the procession, the teams drove 
up to the Sanitary Commission Eooms, and unloaded their 



342 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

precious freights of stores into the garners, whence they 
will go the boys in the field. 

" This harvest-home was a sight to bring tears to the eyes 
of any man but a confirmed copperhead. Thfire was an 
eloquence in it, a moral grandeur, that spoke louder than 
words. It told that the farmers, .the bone and sinew of 
the country, were yet confident of success ; that despair or 
distrust had not yet entered into their calculations, and that 
the boys in the field were worthy the best of their crops. 
There was no display, no advertisement lurking behind their 
contribution. It was a free-will ofifering from their great, 
generous hearts, for which they will have no recompense save 
the best of all recompense — the blessing of the gallant fellows 
in camp and in hospital. God bless the Lake County Farmers ! 

" The procession arrived at the court-house about 10 o'clock, 
when the bands struck up some patriotic tunes, after which 
Thomas B. Bryan, Esq., addressed the people substantially 
as follows : 

"ADDEESS of THOMAS B. BRYAN, ESQ. 

" Fellow Citizens : — I congratulate you upon this impos- 
ing pageant. It is indeed an auspicious prelude to the great 
Fair, the inauguration of which it is designed to celebrate. 
The civic and military procession embraces within its ranks 
men of all ages, all professions, and all nationalities. The 
voice of party, like the hum of business, is this day silenced. 
The municipal authorities, in patriotic proclamations, have 
recommended a general suspension of business. Barred 
doors and windows, empty houses and full streets, give 
proof of the prompt and universal response of the citizens. 



T. B. Bryan's opening address. 343 

" And why this unprecedented observance of a day not 
sacred as a national holiday ? Why the thousands of flags 
gayly fluttering in the breeze or festooning the columns of 
bazaar and hall ? Why this clogging of the wheels of the 
busy machinery of this great commercial emporium ? Why 
this vast concourse of men, women and children, all clad in 
their holiday attire, and inspired by the very magnetism of 
their own numbers ? Why this mammoth procession, with 
its cavalcade, its banners, and its martial music ? Is it the 
triumphal entry of a newly laurelled military chieftain? 
Or is it the grateful welcome of some illustrious statesman, 
endeared by his public services to the hearts of his country- 
men ? No ! it is pregnant with a higher and more impres- 
sive significance. It is a spontaneous tribute of a people's 
gratitude to the Armies of the Union ! The great heart of 
the North- West pulsates with all a mother's pride and love 
for her patriot sons. She summoned them to battle for an 
imperilled Union, and they yielded prompt and cheerful 
obedience to her behests. And may she not be justly proud 
of their heroic fortitude and valorous deeds? Proud of 
their noble endurance of the privations, toils and exposure 
of this eventful war — proud of their glorious triumphs in 
deadly contests with outnumbering hosts — aye, even of the 
graves which on every battle-field remain as enduring 
memorials of their heroism ! 

" And on this gala-day we send special greetings to com- 
mon soldiers. All glorious has been their fidelity to their 
country's flag — a fidelity that has proved itself a fortress, 
impregnable to all assaults, and to all the enginery of evil. 
Though their names are unheralded with the tidings of triumphs, 



844 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

we shall never forget that their bravery and blood have aided in 
winning the garlands of victory that encircle the brows of their 
leaders. 

" ' A thousand glorious actions that might claim 
Triumphant laurels and immortal fame, 
Confused in crowds of glorious actions lie, 
And troops of heroes undistinguished die.' 

" How refreshing in this tragical era of strife and carnage, 
to hear amid the clash of arms the gentle voice of woman's 
charity, to hear of her faithful vigils about the bed of the 
languishing, and of her ministrations of mercy and sympa- 
thy among scenes of suffering and death. It is to promote 
such noble ends, to provide, through the Sanitary Commis- 
sion, for the necessities of our patriot soldiers, that this 
grand Fair is instituted, to which the present ovation is intro- 
ductory. It is an enterprise born of woman, and nursed to 
maturity by her skill, her taste and untiring zeal. Most 
sedulously have the noble women of the North- West labor- 
ed to provide for this festival all that ingenuity could devise 
or art create. 

" It remains for the people, practically, to evince their 
appreciation of these labors, that they may not be unre- 
quited. Surely, men, if you fully realize that the promised 
success of the forthcoming varied and grandly imposing ex- 
hibition is wholly ascribable to woman's indomitable energy 
and executive power, you will henceforth be prouder than 
ever before of your mothers and wives. A new zest will be 
imparted to the toast, 'Woman, Grod bless her!' Perhaps 
yon gallant fireman will coin another : ' Woman, the love 



THIRTY-FOUR GUNS SIGNAL OF OPENING. 345 

of whom is the only fire harmless and alike unquenchable.' 
At any rate, women of this day will nerve the soldier's arm 
and animate his heart. (Cheers.) As a bright sun propi- 
tiously smiles upon this day's ceremonies, so may the sun- 
shine of woman's charity illumine the soldier's pathway. 

" The noble generosity of contributions from abroad chal- 
lenges the admiration of our own citizens. General thrift 
and prosperity lavish their blessings upon our young city, 
and we are called to respond from our abundance to the de- 
mands of charity. The appeal is in the cause of humanity ; 
let it not fall upon our ears unheeded, 

" Fellow-citizens ! To the general display around us, I design 
to contribute no needless display of words. My province is to 
announce, as requested, that the opening of the Fair will be 
indicated by the" firing of a cannon ; and as a simple discharge 
of the gun is sufficient for that purpose, so, in my instance, brief 
and simple utterances are more appropriate to the occasion. 

" Hark ! the gun fires ! Throw open the public halls, the 
doors also of your hospitable houses, and the portals of your 
generous hearts, for the North- Western Fair is Open !" 

This stirring appeal was fitly followed by the booming of 
thirty-four guns, at the close of which the farmers' proces- 
sion wended its way to the rooms of the Sanitary Commis- 
sion, to unload the patriotic offerings. Tearful spectators 
followed in its train, and many gave a helping hand. The 
places assigned for the deposit of these generous donations 
were found to be quite insufficient, and the offers of rooms 
for storage from surrounding merchants were gladly accepted. 
When the work was finished, the sturdy farmers accepted a 



346 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

complimentary dinner from the ladies, in Lower Bryan Hall, 
on which occasion their offerings were formally presented by 
Hon. E. M. Haines, formerly of Lake county, and most hap- 
pily and spicily received, on the part of the Fair, by Eev. 
Dr. Patton, Vice-President of the Board of the Sanitary Com- 
mission. An affecting meeting took place in the dining-hall, 
between a Lake county farmer and his soldier-son, most un- 
expectedly on his way home from Yicksburg on a short fur- 
lough. 'Twas all that was needed to raise enthusiasm to its 
climax, to behold the old man and his son, as Jacob and 
Joseph, fall on each other's neck and weep. 

"We cannot forbear giving a wonderfully descriptive account 
of this farmers' procession, from the pen of Rev. F. N. Knapp, 
Special Relief Agent of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, who 
came from Washington to witness the pageailt : 

" Many of the farmers were sunburnt men, with hard and 
rigid features, and a careless observer would have said there 
was surely nothing in those wagons as they passed, to awaken 
any sentiment; yet something there was about it ail that 
brought tears to the eyes of hundreds, as the old farmers, with 
their heavy loads, toiled by. Among the crowd of spectators 
was a broad-shouldered Dutchman, with a face expressive of 
anything but thought or feeling. He gazed at this singular 
procession as it passed — the sunburnt farmers, the long, nar- 
row wagons, the endless variety of vegetables and farm prod- 
uce; he gazed, as those men with their sober faces and 
homely gifts passed one b}'' one, until w^aen, finally, the last 
wagon had moved by, this stolid, lethargic-looking man 
* broke down,' with a flood of tears, and could say nothing 
and do nothing but seize upon the little child whom he held 



TOUCHING INCIDENTS OF PROCESSION. 347 

by the liand and hug her to his heart, trying to hide his manly- 
tears behind her flowing curls. 

" Among those wagons which had drawn up near the rooms 
of the Sanitary Commission to unload their stores, was one 
peculiar for its exceeding look of poverty. It was worn and 
mended, and was originally made merely of poles. It was 
drawn by three horses, which had seen much of life, but little 
of grain. The driver was a man past middle age, with the 
clothes and look of one who had toiled hard ; but he had a 
thoughtful and kindly face. He sat there, quietly waiting 
his turn to unload. By his side, with feet over the front of 
the wagon, for it was filled very full, was his wife, a silent, 
worn-looking woman (many of these men had their wives 
with them on the loads) ; near the rear of the wagon was a 
.girl of fifteen, perhaps, and her sister, dressed in black, car- 
rying in her arms a little child. Some one said to this man 
(after asking the woman with the child if she would not go 
into the Commission-rooms and get warmed), 'My friend, 
you seem to have quite a load here of vegetables. Now, I 
am curious to know what good things you are bringing to 
the soldiers. Will you tell me what you have?' 'Yes,' 
said he; 'here are potatoes, and here are three bags of 
onions, and there are some ruta-baga, and there are a few 
turnips, and that is a small bag of meal, and you will see the 
cabbages fill in ; and that box with slats has some ducks in 
it, which one of them brought in.' 

" ' Oh ! then this isn't all your load alone, is it ? ' ' Why, 
no. Our region, just where I live, is rather a hard soil, and 
we haven't any of us much to spare, any way ; yet, for this 
business, we could have raked up as much again as this, if 



818 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

we liad had time; but we didn't get the notice that the 
wagons were going in till last night, about eight o'clock, and 
it was dark and raining at that, so I and my wife and the 
girls could only go round to five or six of the neighbors 
within a mile or so, but we did the best we could ; we 
worked pretty much all the night, and loaded, so as to be 
ready to get out to the main road and start with the rest of 
them this morning ; but I can't help it if it is little — it is 
something for the soldiers.' 

" ' Have you a son in the army ? ' * No,' he answered, 
slowly, after turning round and looking at his wife. * No, 
I haven't now^ but we had one there once ; he's buried down 
by Stone River; he was shot there. And that isn't just so, 
either. We called him our boy, but he was only our adopted 
son. We took him when he was little, so he was just the, 
same as our own boy ; and ' (pointing over his shoulder 
without looking back) ' that's his wife there with the baby ! 
But I shouldn't bring these things any quicker if he were 
alive now and in the army; I don't know that I should 
think so much as I do now about the boys away off there.' 
It was in turn for his wagon to unload, so with his rough 
freight of produce, and his rich freight of human hearts, with 
their deep and treasured griefs, he drove on, one wagon of a 
hundred in the train." 

The diniug-hall of the North- Western Sanitary Fair was a 
specialty, unequalled in extent and interest by any other of 
the series in the same department. So much curiosity has 
been manifested, to know the precise manner in which these 
dinners were extemporized and conducted, that I copy the 
following graphic and detailed account from the pen of Mrs. 



DESCRIPTION OF DINING-HALL. 3-i9 

D. P. Livermore, contained in the history of the North- 
Western Fair, published bj the Commission, October, 1864 : 

"the DINING-HALL. 

" Lower Bryan Hall was occupied as a dining and refresh- 
ment hall; and the promise of the ladies to dine 1,500 
people daily, with home comfort and elegance, was amply 
fulfilled. Mrs. 0. E. Hosmer, and Mrs. W. E. Franklin, of 
Chicago, had this hall in charge; and to their admirable 
management, seconded by a very superior corps of ex- 
perienced ladies, the entire success of the daily dinners was 
mainly attributable. The rush to this hall was as great as to 
the others, and hundreds went away, on some days, to restau- 
rants and hotels, for lack of accommodation. The system with 
which the dinners were managed, demands a passing notice. 

" The city was thoroughly canvassed for donations to the 
Fair, every district being taken by a lady, and faithfully vis- 
ited by her. The names and residences of all who would con- 
tribute to the dinner-tables were taken, with the articles they 
would furnish, and the days when they would furnish them. 
The canvassing over, a meeting of the canvassers was held, 
and the aggregate supply for each day ascertained. Previous 
experience in these Fair dinners had taught the ladies what 
quantities of each article were necessary for one dinner. So 
many turkeys, so many roasts, so many ducks, so many pies, 
so many puddings, so many gallons of milk, so many pounds 
of coffee, so many cans of oysters, etc., etc. If the amount 
pledged for each da.y was not sufficient, the dinner committee 
was then prepared beforehand to supply deficiencies. These 
supplies, thus pledged, were sent to the dining-hall on the 



350 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

promised days, or to depots appointed in various divisions 
of the city, from whence express-wagons ran daily to the hall 
at specified hours. 

" In addition to this source of supply, large quantities of 
ready -cooked food were sent from various parts of the 
country, notification of the time when it might be expected 
having been previously mailed to the committee. Michigan 
sent immense quantities of the finest fruit, a dozen times 
as much as was required by the exigencies of the refresh- 
ment-tables. As it was mostly late varieties of apples, all 
surplus barrels were immediately dispatched to the hospitals, 
from whence, in due time, came grateful acknowledgment 
of the welcome donation. Grundy county, of Illinois, sent 
game almost exclusively, nicely cooked and carefully packed, 
and forwarded with such dispatch, that it had hardly time to 
cool before it was delivered by express. Elgin, Illinois, 
from her abundant dairies, supplied a large portion of the 
milk used during the Fair, her milkmen calling regularly at 
the dinner-hour with overflowing cans. Nor must we omit 
to mention the generous manner in which Dubuque came 
to the help of the dining-hall. 

" The Dubuque ladies, who visited the Fair during the first 
week, learning that there was a scarcity of poultry, pledged 
for certain days of the week following. They hastened 
home and set themselves about making up the deficiency. 
Two or three of their best shots were instantly sent off 
" gunning." A general raid was made on the hen-coops ; 
turkeys were begged or bought by the dozen, and on the 
days when they had promised edibles they sent to Chicago 
over one hundred turkeys, two hundred ducks, and nearly as 



DINNERS OF THE FAIR. 351 

many chickens, exquisitely cooked, which were carried 
piping hot from the kitchens to the express-car. In ord&r 
that they might go freshly cooked to the Fair, several of the 
ladies sat up all the previous night, and gave personal help 
and supervision to the work, dressing, baking, and packing 
these fowls with their own hands. By some mystery of the 
cuisine, which it is not our province to divulge, they were, 
on their arrival at Chicago, brought to the table as smoking 
hot as though they had just made their debCd from the bake- 
pan. 

" Fourteen tables were set in the dining-hall, with accom- 
modations for about three hundred at one time. Each 
table was reset four and five times, daily. Six ladies were 
appointed to take charge of each table throughout the Fair, 
two of whom presided daily — one to pour coffee, the other to 
maintain general supervision. These ladies were the wives 
of congressmen, professional men, clergymen, editors, mer- 
chants, bankers, millionaires. None were above serving at 
the Soldiers' Fair dinners. Each presiding lady furnished 
the table-linen and silver for her table, and added such 
decorations and delicacies as her taste suggested, or she could 
secure from her friends and acquaintances. The table 
waiters were the young ladies of the city, neat-handed, swift- 
footed, bright-eyed, pleasant-voiced maidens, M'ho, accus- 
tomed to be served in their own homes, transformed them- 
selves, for the nonce, for the dear sake of the suffering 
soldiers, into servants. Both the matrons who presided, and 
the pretty girls who served, were neatly attired in a simple 
uniform of white caps and aprons, made, trimmed, and worn 
to suit the varied taste of the wearers. 



352 THE BOYS IN BLUE., 

" A more picturesque scene than the dining-hall afforded, 
when dinner was in progress, cannot be imagined. The 
decorations were like those of the other halls, with the 
national flag waving over every table, and crowning the 
table ornaments. As the hall was dim, the gas was lighted 
day and night. The numerous tables, crowded with ladies 
and gentlemen wdio bad come to dine ; the long line of carv- 
ers, one for each variety of meats, who had closed the 
ledger and laid down the pen, to don the white apron and 
knife of this department ; the graceful girls in their pretty 
uniforms darting hither and thither in the discharge of their 
novel duties; the agreeable matrons who received all who 
came to their tables, as they would honored guests in their 
own home ; the crowds who stood around, determined to 
dine in this hall, and good-naturedly biding their time with 
many a bon-mot, which provoked constant sallies of laugh- 
ter; the continual incoming of fresh trays and baskets and 
pails, laden with viands for the dinner — all this formed an 
animated and unusual picture, that pen cannot portray. 
There was no lack of sociality at these dinners ; mirth and 
laughter were as abundant as the food ; wit held high carni- 
val, and a stranger, ignorant of the occasion, would have 
been tempted to believe this a new Babel, where a second 
' confusion of tongues ' had been wrought. 

"A kitchen was appended to the dining-hall, where the 
heavy work was done by servants, and into whose penetralia 
only a favored few were admitted. The rule was inexorable, 
and woe to the curious wight who entered within its pre- 
cincts. Little ceremony was employed in enforcing his 
departure. Checks laid beside the plate indicated to each 



SENSATIONS OF THE FAIR. 353 

his indebtedness, which was more or less, according to the 
bill of fare which he had ordered. These bills were settled 
at the table of the cashier, who gave in return a receipt in 
the form of another check, on the presentation of which at 
the door the party offering it was allowed to leave the hall. 
This method, it will be perceived, was a certain prevention 
of dishonesty, if any were wickedly disposed to leave without 
settling their bills. ISTo department of the Fair required 
more executive skill, and none was more popular or suc- 
cessful."' 

The enthusiasm of the Fair did not abate a "jot or tittle," 
from its inception to its close. Crowds continued and in- 
creased, till they became a "jam." Everything was bought, 
counters replenished and again emptied. The people caine,* 
because they loved to come, and would have bought on, had 
there been anything to buy. They were fascinated, bewil- 
dered, magnetized, by the patriotic influences, and by each 
other. "A la Parimgton^'' "something was always happen- 
ing." Continual announcements were made from the plat- 
form, a perfect hot-house of bloom and perfume, with the 
gorgeous background of the German department, rivalling 
all others in brilliant colors and artistic skill, under the 
direction of Mrs. Governor Salomon, of Wisconsin. Letters 
were constantly received from thousands of heroes, languish- 
ing in hospitals, for whose benefit this great movement was 
going forward. Letters from our lamented President, and 
distinguished statesmen, were also received and read, and 
most of them elicited shouts and cheers. 

We subjoin two specimens of these hospital letters for the 

gratification of the reader : 

23 



354 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 28. 
To the Managers of the North- Western Fair : 

Ladies : — The sick and wounded soldiers in the hospital 
at Memphis send you greeting, and through you, wish to 
return thanks to the women of the North-West — our mothers, 
wives, daughters and sisters — for their efforts to alleviate 
our wants and sufferings. We are deeply grateful for the 
sympathy manifested towards us in words and deeds. We 
are cheered, comforted, encouraged. Though absent, we 
are not to be forgotten. When returned to duty in the 
field, as we trust we soon may be, we shall be nerved once 
more to fight on, until this most unholy rebellion is crushed, 
and the old flag floats once more over a free, united and 
happy people. In the light of your smiles, and this great 
earnest of your sympathy, we also have an additional 
incentive never to relax our efforts for a land whose women 
are its brighest ornaments, as well as its truest patriots. 
May your success be measured by your love of home and 
country. In behalf of three thousand soldiers in hospitals 
at Memphis. 

(Signed) T. P. Eobb, 

Illinois /Sanitary Agent 

These letters were written at the request of the soldiers, 
and indorsed by them. A thrilling letter from the hospitals 
of Chattanooga was also received, but owing to the sudden 
disappearance of the bearer was not secured. The following 
letter from the suffering soldiers and their faithful friends, 
is too touching to be omitted in this record, which is rapidly 
becoming history: 



LETTER FROM SOLDIERS AT QUINCY HOSPITAL. 355 

QuiNCY, III., Nov., 1863. 

The Soldiers' Club, representing tlie four hospitals in this 
city, and some seven hundred sick and wounded soldiers, 
desire to send an affectionate greeting to their kind friends 
in Chicago and elsewhere, who have interested themselves 
in their welfare, in connection with the North-Western Fair. 
We have been deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the 
ladies of the land in our behalf. We are quite certain that 
the wives, mothers and sisters that we have left behind 
at our many homes have not forgotten us. It gives us 
courage to bear privation and pain; to suffer.on, and, if need 
be, offer up our lives on our country's altar. We believe 
the great interests at stake in this national struggle are wor- 
thy of all this sacrifice and suffering. Permit us once more 
to thank you for your noble effort, which has proved such 
a grand success — unprecedented in the history of Fairs. 

We have in this city two soldiers' aid societies^ the Sisters 
of the Good Samaritan, and the Needle Pickets, which are 
unwearied in their labors of love. 

Our humble organization for mutual improvement has 
been greatly aided by the cooperation of the ladies of the 
city, who have been present at our meetings, and assisted in 
the preparation of a semi-monthly paper. It would give us 
great pleasure to be in connection with the friends of 
soldiers everywhere, and to receive articles which could be 
read at our meetings. On behalf of the Soldiers' Club. 

S. Hopkins Emery, 

Hospital Chaplain. 

The following letter from Hon. Schuyler Colfax, a man to 



356 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

•whom the eyes of the nation are increasingly directed, as a 
pure patriot and able statesmen, was received in answer to a 
letter inviting him to a dinner given to governors, sen- 
ators, etc., during the Fair. 

South Bend, Ind., November 2, 1863. 

Dear Ladies : — Just returned home from a speaking tour 
in my native State of New York, I find your kiud invita- 
tion to the dinner to be given next Thursday, by the ladies 
of the North- Western Fair, and sincerely regret that I can- 
not attend. 

I trust that y6ur enterprise, inspired as it must have been 
from above, will result in the brilliant and beneficent success 
it so richly deserves. The Good Samaritan's affectionate 
care of the stranger, maltreated and wounded by thieves, 
will live on the sacred page as long as the earth shall endure. 
And if his humanity toward an "alien and stranger to the 
commonwealth of Israel," elicited the approval of Him who 
spake as never man spake, and the injunction to "go thou 
and do likewise," how much more should it teach us to care 
for the sick and wounded soldiers of the Eepublic ? They 
suffer for us and our beloved land; they bleed and die that 
the nation may live. And, as the heroes, who by their pa- 
triotism and sacrifices established this Union, will live in all 
loyal hearts " to the last syllable of recorded time," so will, 
also, the heroes of to-day, who went forth from business, 
from familj^, and from home, some in the freshness of life's 
June, some in the maturity of life's October, to save the 
Union their brave ancestors formed. 

But as I cannot be present in person, will you allow the 



GIFT OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. 357 

inclosed $100 to attest the earnest sympathy of your sincere 
friend, Schuyler Colfax. 

EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. 

The great sensation of the Fair was the gift of Abraham 
Lincohi of the original draft of the Proclamation 'of Eman- 
cipation, written and corrected by that hand that was always 
raised for justice and humanity, and stretched forth to ele- 
vate the lowly. It was accompanied by a letter, also written 
by himself. Hon. J, M. Arnold, Hon. Owen Lovejoy, and 
other representatives, had deeply interested themselves in 
procuring for us this great gift, so timely and appropriate, 
now possessing sacred interest. 

Executive Mansion, j 
Washington, October 26, 1863. ) 
To the Ladies having in charge the North- Western Fair for 
the Sanitary Commission, Chicago, Illinois : 
According to the request made in your behalf, the orig- 
inal draft of the 'Emancipation Proclamation is herewith 
inclosed. The formal words at the top, and the conclusion, 
except the signature, you perceive, are not in my hand- 
writing. They were written at the State Department, by 
whom I know not. The printed part was cut from a copy of 
the preliminary proclamation, and pasted on merely to save 
writing. I had some desire to retain the paper, but if it 
shall contribute to the relief or comfort of the soldiers, that 
will be better. Your obedient servant, 

A. Lincoln. 

The following correspondence tells the story of the Eman- 



358 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

cipation Proclamation as connected with the Fair, and the 
beautiful and unexpected finale of this glorious gift, that 
must now make the Fair historical, had it no other claim : 

Chicago, November 26, 1863. 
President Lincoln : 

SiK : — Among the many duties of our recent Fair, not one 
has been more pleasing than that now devolving upon us, of 
consigning to you the accompanying watch, and asking you 
to accept it as a memorial of the Ladies' North-Western Fair. 
During the progress of the Fair, Mr. Jas. H. Hoes, jeweler, 
of Chicago, a most loyal and liberal man, after giving very 
largely himself, in order to stimulate donations from others, 
proposed, through the columns of the Chicago 2ribune, to 
give a gold watch to the largest contributor to the Fair. 
" Thou art the man /" Your glorious Emancipation Procla- 
mation, world-wide in its interests and results, was sold for 
$3,000, the largest benefaction of any individual. 

The precious document has already become the corner-stone 
of a permanent Home for Illinois soldiers: it will also be its 
cap-sheaf and glory. It will be built in a frame, in the wall 
of this noble institution, and stand a lasting monument of 
your wisdom, patriotism, liberality, and fatherly tenderness 
for the brave boys, who, at your call, so promptly " rallied 
round the flag," and so gallantly defended it. That the 
God of peace may be with you, as the God of battles has 
prospered you, is the earnest prayer of your grateful friends 
and admirers. 

Mrs. a. H. Hoge, 

Mrs. D. P. LiVERMOEE, 

In hehalf of the Ladies of the North- Western Fair. 



PRESENT OF A WATCH TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 359 

The receipt of the watch was acknowledged by the Presi- 
dent, as follows : 

Executive Mansion, "Washington, Dec. 17, 1863. 
Ladies : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
the watch sent by you to me, through the Hon. Mr. Arnold, 
and to return my sincere thanks for the kind and generous 
expressions with which it was accompanied. 

I am, very truly, your obd't servant, 

A. Lincoln. 

Mes. Hoge. 
Mrs. Livesmore. 

T. B. Bryan, Esq., was the purchaser of the Emancipation 
Proclamation, which he gave to the Soldiers' Home, of which 
he was President, and photographs taken from it have already 
resulted in many thousands of dollars, for the benefit of that 
Institution. 

During the progress of the Fair, large numbers of distin- 
guished military men, and officers of the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission, came from the East to encourage us, and see 
■what the Fair, creating so great a sensation, meant. .Dr. Bel- 
lows, the originator of sanitary efforts, sent us a letter of 
congratulation, and no voice spoke but in its praise. 

The most significant ornament of the various halls was the 
liberal sprinkling of blue-coats, for they were admitted free 
to all the departments. I met one of these at the central 
pagoda in the bazaar. He was holding aloft a silver cake- 
basket with one hand, the other hanging over a crutch, for 
he had lost his leg at Chickamauga. A silent, modest-look- 
ing woman stood beside him, and the eyes of both were dim 



860 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

witli tenrs, while the ladies were cheering and clapping. I 
asked the explanation. lie answered, he had been months in 
the hospital, and had reached Chicago yesterday. His wife 
had come to meet and welcome him, and help him on his 
homeward journey. He had heard of the Fair all the way 
np from Nashville, and said to his wife, " Mary, I have one 
dollar left; we must go and see the great Fair for the 
soldiers." With the help of Mary and the crutches he 
mounted the stairs. Nobody would take his dollar, so it 
was left to buy something for the little one. Just as he 
reached the pagoda a fair young girl said to him : " The last 
of eighteen chances, a dollar a chance; will you have it?" 
Mary's face said, no ; but he said, " 'Twill be all for the boys, 
anyhow, wife," and he took it. "And now," said he, swal- 
lowing the rising sob, " I've drawn this elegant cake-basket 
for Mary," who stood shyly beside him, as the ladies, with 
tearful eyes, cheered again. The one-legged soldier and Mary, 
with their new treasure, took the circuit of the Fair, to see 
what the women at home were doing for the soldiers. 

THE soldiers' DINNER. 

The last day of the Fair approached. It must be the most 
glorious of the twelve — the crown of this temple of patriotism 
and benevolence. Every soldier from the hospitals who 
could walk or be carried, must come to the farewell dinner, 
which should outshine all before it. At the first suggestion 
to the noble ladies in charge, it met with an enthusiastic 
response. "Weary limbs grew strong, languid eyes flashed, 
pale faces flushed with pleasure, and with one voice all said, 
" It shall be the banner dinner of the Fair," and the noble and 



soldiers' dinner at the close of the fair. 361 

uoselfish women gathered up tbeir declining energies, and 
went to work with fresh earnestness. 

Yases of flowers were exhumed from hidden recesses, pyra- 
mids of comfits, jellies and ices were extemporized as if by 
fairy wands, dainty cloths and napkins, fish, flesh and fowl 
in endless variety were spoken into existence. The brighteSt 
and gayest belles of the garden city begged the privilege of 
waiting on these battered veterans, and, forsooth, must don 
costumes of red, white and blue, and multiply stars and 
stripes till the air seemed filled with them. "When the tables 
were decorated and spread, and the hour arrived for the 
dinner, the graceful and enthusiastic young waiters ranged 
themselves in front of the entrance, two deep, in line of bat- 
tle, to give the heroes a volley, not of Minies, but of welcome. 
Presently foot-falls and crutch-falls were heard ; not tramp — 
tramp — tramp, but hobble — hobble — hobble — the halt lead- 
ing the blind, and the blind supporting the halt. The band 
surged forth the " Star Spangled Banner," but the treble 
cheers of the brave young girls, and the clatter of their small 
pink palms, rose above all the brazen music, and " broke the 
boys down " as by a stroke of lightning. Slowly they were 
seated, and a weeping audience looked on. A reverent 
blessing was asked by Chaplain Day, and then Anna Dickin- 
son, that wondrous young girl and gifted orator, pale with 
emotion, stepped lightly on a chair, her only platform. 
With a voice of magic power and sweetness, with quivering 
lips and eyes aglow with earnestness, and hands pressed on 
her heart as if to check its beating, she turned from side to 
side to look upon the scene. That moment can never be for- 
gotten by those privileged to be present. The deep foun- 



862 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

tains of every heart were stirred, and prepared to hear her 
tender, earnest, thrilling words. She said : 

ANNA Dickinson's address. 

" I have not come here to-day to make a speech, but 
simply as an American woman, out of a full heart, and with 
trembling lips, to thank you. Looking around upon you, 
and remembering how different in this crisis of our coun- 
try's peril has been your conduct from that of a multitude 
of others ; remembering how other men have stayed at home, 
some of them, perhaps, because they could not ■ go to the 
War, others careless and indifferent, others with hearts full 
of curses against the cause of our country ; remembering 
this, I thank you. The future will do you more justice, and 
better honor than the present, and history will blazon your 
•names upon its records forever, as the grandest heroes of 
this grandest and most memorable time. 

" Soldiers, you are contending not merely for the Govern- 
ment of the United States, for the Union, for the main- 
tenance of any particular form of political institutions, but for 
the freedom of the world. That is the immense stake for 
which you are fighting. You stand as the embodiment of 
democracy and liberty against the serried hosts of despotism. 
Brave boys from across the water — sons of Scotland and Ire- 
land, Germans and .Scandinavians — recognize the fact that 
you are not fighting simply for the Government of the United 
States. Remember how your friends from across "the water 
are looking with mournful, solemn, but hopeful sympathy 
at the progress of the great struggle, in which you are taking 
so noble a part. Remember how their hopes and interests 



ATSNA Dickinson's speech. 363 

are bound up VYitli yours in the great cause for which you 
are pouring out your blood. 

"And for you, Americans — my own countrymen — brave 
boys, struggling here for this, your own native land, you are 
not only emulating the deeds of your Eevolutionary fathers, 
but you are fighting in a cause, if possible, more glorious 
than that which stirred their blood to deeds of loftj daring. 
This, our country's second revolution, is of wider scope and 
involves loftier principles than the first. 

" Some of you young men, standing here, are not as you 
were with us months ago, full of life and hope and energy. 
You have come back to us broken and shattered, maimed 
and helpless. ' But what of that,' said a soldier who had 
been wounded in one of Napoleon's great battles, when the 
surgeon was feeling for a bullet which had almost reached 
his heart, ' put your probe in a little deeper, and you will 
find Napoleon.' And the bulleis that have gone crushing 
through the ranks of our brave boys, on the bloody fields of 
the South, have reached breasts so full of patriotism, that 
wounds, limbs, life itself, were but trifles, when weighed in 
the scale against their country. 

"Some of you, alas! have come back to us blinded, with 
the beautiful light of heaven shut out from you forever, but 
it has been that the glorious light of justice might shine 
throughout the length and breadth of the laud. What can 
I say to you, save that coming back to us halt and maimed 
and blind, the great loyal heart of the nation springs up to 
meet you, and to love you. Some of you may be going 
back again to renew your noble exertions in our great cause, 
to suffer, and it may be, to die for it. If there be any such 



364 THE BOYS IjS^ BLUE. 

here, looking in your faces, I repeat, we thank you. Should 
it be the lot of any of you to return to us no more — should 
your life ebb on some distant battle-field, where no woman's 
hand can smooth your dying pillow, and no friendly ear 
receive your parting sigh — still, even there, our love and 
affection shall follow you. You shall have immortal crown- 
ings, and the world shall honor your graves ! " 

And now the waiters, hastily dashing away their tears, 
flew as on wings to fulfil their high behest. Tlie dainties 
of the cuisine rivalled Delmonico's bill of fare, and surely 
the waiters added a zest that no condiments could furnish. 
Oysters, game, fish, soups, jellies, ices, passed in ^apid suc- 
cession ; the eagerness of the fair earnest girls producing 
various collisions, to the great amusement of the soldiers. 
They could not eat half that they would, for looking ; and 
somehow, they said, " they could not sivallow as ivell as usuaV 
One, braver than the rest, after repeated efforts to do justice 
to the "magnificent spread," exclaimed: "Ladies, you've 
spoiled our appetites ; but the sight of you all, and this 
glorious welcome, is better than a score of dinners. We 
can lie another year in the hospital after this, or die if need 
be." "Three cheers for the ladies, boys! " and they were 
given with a will. Then three cheers for Lincoln and for 
the Sanitary Commission and the Fair, and, at the request 
of Chaplain Day, a tiger battle-cry, such as they gave 
when rushing double-quick on the rebels. The " Battle-cry 
of Freedom," and "Red, White, and Blue," rang out, all the 
audience joining in the chorus. Suddenly, as the soldiers 
rose from their seats. Chaplain Day said in a clear voice. 
with great solemnity, " one thing more before we part. Let 



CLOSE OF THE FAIR — CLOSING EESOLUTIONS. 365 

US not forget our dead — tliey who went out with us to tlie 
conflict, but whose slumbers shall not be broken till the 
revielle of the resurrection morn shall awake them. Let us 
remember that, 

" ' He who for his country dies, dies not, 
But Uveth evermore.' " 

And all stood in solemn silence, with uncovered heads, while 
the band wailed out a solemn dirge for that part of the " host 
that had crossed the flood." Strong men embraced each other 
and wept, and some feeble women grew too faint to stand. 
Some one present struck up the grand old Doxology — • 

' " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," 

And, with mingled sobs and tears, we all joined in. At the 
place of exit were boxes of cigars, and none left without ■ 
liberal provisions of fruit, nuts, and tobacco. All kept 
silence as the sad procession of maimed heroes left to turn 
back to the bare walls of the hospital, till able to go home or 
to their regiments, to run the soldier's risk. A dinner for 
the lady waiters followed, the gentlemen taking the places' 
of the fair damsels. Fun and frolic ruled the hour, and 
proved a safety-valve to intense enthusiasm, and at eleven 
o'clock the company dispersed, ready, as they said, for 
another two weeks' campaign, if necessary for the soldiers. 

Immediately after the dinner, the following resolutions 
were offered by the Connecticut delegation, and carried by 
acclamation by the assembled ladies. As these resolutions 
form the conclusion of the Fair, and manifest its harmonious 
action and more than kind appreciation of services rendered, 
they can scarcely be omitted here : 



866 THE BOYS IN BLUE. " 

■ " Whereas, The Ladies in charge of the Fair have, by their 
untiring zeal, industry and effort, successfully inaugurated, 
conducted and concluded the great N"orth-Western Fair : and 

" Whereas, Those Ladies have been subjected to many 
personal trials and difficulties in the prosecution of their 
noble work for the Soldiers ; therefore 

" Resolved^ That we, the ladies of the Connecticut depart- 
ment of the North-Western Fair, wish to express our high 
sense of the invaluable services of the ladies in charge in the 
cause so dear to us all, and to thank them in particular for 
the ability, skill and success with which they have conducted 
the Korth -Western Fair to a triumphant conclusion. 

" Resolved^ That this Fair has been an unparalleled success, 
not merely in a pecuniary point of view, but as a great 
uprising of the women of the North-West, in signification 
of their devotion to the cause of our devoted and imperilled 
country. 

^^ Resolved, That we offer our thanks also to Mrs. 0. E. 
Hosmer and Mrs. H. E. Franklin for the admirable and 
courteous manner in which they have discharged the labor- 
ious and difficult duties devolving upon them, as superin- 
tendents of the dining-hall of the North-Western Fair. 

"Resolved, That in view of the unanimity with which the 
North-Western States have combined in this Fair, we request 
that the name of the Chicago Sanitary Commission shall 
now and henceforth be ' North-Western Sanitary Commis- 
sion, Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission.' 

" Resolved, That we send greeting to all in the Federal 
service, whether in field or in hospital, whether in army or 
navy, of whatever State or birthplace, and desire to remind 



CLOSE OF NORTH-WESTERN SANITARY FAIR. 367 

tbeni that in thus coming forward to fill the treasury of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, which Commission suc- 
cors all, without distinction, who come within its beneficial 
range, we are offering sympathy and support to every indi- 
vidual of our country's defenders. 

" Resolved^ That inasmuch as no amount of money will 
purchase the indispensable garments which are made only 
by the women of our patriotic organizations, we will return 
home to set the machinery of our aid societies in still more 
active operation, and that we will continue our efforts and 
our work, not only as long as the war continues, but as long 
as there is a hospital to supply, or a soldier to succor." 

Thus ended the great North-Western Fair, with net pro- 
ceeds of $86,000 ; a small amount compared with those that 
followed, but more than triple the amount asked, and suffi- 
ciently large to provoke an emulation that startled the 
country with its munificent results. The success of the 
Fair was greatly owing to the ability, zeal and persever- 
ance of the ladies controlling different departments. The 
names of scores who worked skilfully and indefatigably, 
might be recorded, but it is in vain to essay the task, 
as they would occupy more room than the entire sketch. 
The heads of the departments can alone be named. 

In addition to the names of the ladies in charge of the Din- 
ing-hall, we would specially record the invaluable services 
of Mrs, H. L. Colt, in charge of the Art Gallery, and the 
liberal donations from Milwaukee, made through her. A 
draft for $1,000 was sent by Mrs. Nazro, from the citizens 
of Milwaukee. Mrs. E. C. Henshaw, of Ottawa, 111., a lady 



268 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of remarkable ability, and a native of Connecticat, took 
charge of that department, and with her skilful coadjutors, 
carried it to triumphant success. In the Curiosity Shop, 
Hon. J, B. Bradwell and wife, Mrs. Dr. Carr, of Madison, 
Wis., and Mrs. W. E. Doggett, of Chicago, presided, assist- 
ed by Mrs. A. Fox. and Mrs. C. A. Morton, of Quincy, 111. 
]\[rs. J. C. Fargo, Mrs. E. C. Long, and Mrs. 0. A. Lamb, 
were the indefatigable secretaries of the Fair, while Mr. 
Fargo and Mr. Long gave invaluable services as cashiers. 

During the inception and progress of the Fair, the follow- 
ing list comprises the names of the members of the Com- 
mission : Hon. Mark Skinner, President; Eev. William 
W. Patton, Vice-President; E. B. McCagg, Esq., Corre- 
sponding Secretary; E. W. Blatchford, Treasurer; Cyrus 
Bentley, Eecording Secretary ; H. E. Seelye, Assistant 
Treasurer; Wesley Munger, B. F. Raymond, J. K. Bots- 
ford. 

From the opening of the Fair, the President of the Com- 
mission gave to it the encouragement of his presence and his 
hearty support, spending the greater portion of his time 
within its precincts. The Treasurer, Mr. Blatchford, so 
thoroughly systematized his part of the work, that labor was 
simplified, order maintained, and confidence imparted. To 
all the gentlemen of the X^ommission the ladies felt under 
deep obligation, for countenance, encouragement and sub- 
stantial aid. The brave prairie pioneer little dreamed of its 
brilliant successors in the good cause. When they came, she 
bade them " God-speed " and welcome, all for the sake of 
" The Boys in Blue, and the Heroes of the Rank and File." 



SECOND WOMAN'S COUNCIL AT WASHINGTON. 8G9 



CHAPTER XXL 

Second Woman's Council at Washington — Dr. Bellows' address — Visit 
to Philadelphia — Sketch of meeting at West Chester — U. S. Sanitary 
Commission — Fair mania — Pittsburg Fair — Bazaar — Monitor Hall — 
Horticultural Hall — Philadelphia Fair — "Union avenue — Hall of Arms 
and Trophies — Horticultural HaU — Art G-allery — President Lincoln's 
speech. v 

During the winter of a.d, 186-4, the work at the rooms 
of the North- Western Sanitary Commission went forward on a 
munificent scale in proportion to its means and the necessities 
of the army, which had been greatly increased by the battles 
and siege of Vicksburg, the activity of the Army of the 
Cumberland, and the malarious climate of the South and 
West. The U. S. Sanitary Commission at Washington and 
the eastern branches experienced the same necessity for in- 
creased supplies. The value -and expediency of sanitary 
fairs, as means of filling the treasury of the Commission, 
was presented to the officers of that organization, in a shape 
that required consultation with the branches. ' In view of 
these and other issues, the officers of the Commission resolved 

to call a second Woman's Council^t Washington, Jan. 18, 

24 



370 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

1864. The following reasons for the call were set forth in a 
circular, addressed to the various branches : 

Ji'irst — To gather information as to the disposal of the sup- 
plies of constituents. 

Second — To learn the principles and methods of the Com- 
mission thoroughly. 

Third — To compare notes with the central officials. 

Fourth — To confer various methods with each other. 

Fifth — To inquire into the question of fairs on behalf of 
the Commission. 

Sixth — ^To ascertain the relation of the delegates with other 
organizations in the home field. 

Seventh — To impart to the Commission views concerning 
canvassing agents. 

F'ighih — To suggest improvements for the working rela- 
tions of delegates with the Commission. 

JSfinth — To give the Commission information with regard 
to tributary societies. 

The reasons above stated for a second council, were of 
sufficient import to draw together a large number of asso- 
ciate managers of the United States Commission, at Wash- 
ington, Jan. IS, lS6-i. This meeting continued three days, 
the Eev. H. "W. Bellows, D. D., President of the Commis- 
sion, presiding. The General Secretary, Dr. Jenkins, and As- 
sociate Secretary Dr. Newberry, Rev. F. Knapp, Special 
Relief Agent, ancl Mr. A. J. Bloor, Assistant Secretary, met 
with the ladies. 

The President, Rev. Dr. Bellows, lucidly explained the 
conception and organization of the Commission, and power- 
fully enforced the necessity of renewed zeal in a work of 



women's, council at WASHINGTON. 371 

such vast import to the army and the country, thus fulfilling, 
most satisfactorily, one great object of the meeting. The 
General Secretary gave an outline of the work and present 
status of the Commission, and the Associate Secretary did the 
same concerning the Western Department. It is unneces- 
sary to say more concerning the band of women that gather- 
ed in the council at Washington, t"han that they were the 
chosen representatives of the patriotic element, of almost the 
entire field of sanitary labor. Many names on its record 
will become historical, from their inseparable connection 
with the interests of the great Union army, and their skill 
and efficiency in managing the various branches of supply 
work of the United States Sanitary Commission. 

Eeports made to this council were ably written and elo- 
quently spoken. Discussion was free and animated, and 
some changes in the mode of work, in the various supply 
departments of the Commission, were decided upon. The 
organizations of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, 
Chicago, etc., etc., were there represented, and, after three 
days of conference, the sessions closed, the members feel- 
ing its desired results had been attained, and would re- 
dound to the benefit of the sick and wounded in hospitals 
and in the field. 

Although not strictly within the scope of this volume, I 
introduce Mrs. Livermore's sketch of the contraband camp, 
which we visited in Washington. It is legitimate, as a part 
of the history of the residts of the war, and furnishes a rare 
picture of the habits, manners, and religious exercises of the 
newly -born freedmen: 



872 THE BOYS IJSr BLUE. 

"a visit to the conteaband camp. 

" The contraband camp at Washington is made up of 
fugitives from Maryland and Virginia, principally, though 
we found, also, numerous representatives of the 'patriarchal 
institution ' from North and South Carolina, and some from 
Georgia. There were about three thousand of them in camp 
when we visited them, but the number varies from w^eek to 
week. Rev. D. B. Nichols has charge of this motley collec- 
tion of escaped slaves, and makes the miserable quarters a 
happy home to these poor refugees from bondage. 

" We found here all ages, both sexes, ever}^ shade of com- 
plexion, and every variety of character. Having lived on a 
Southern plantation some two years in my earlier life, the 
people and the scenes were not as novel to me as to some 
of my companions, who were overwhelmed with astonish- 
ment at the intelligence, good sense, and perfect decorum 
manifested by all. All with whom we conversed were able 
to give an intelligent and graphic account of their escapade 
from slaver}^, and their descriptions of ' massa ' and ' missis ' 
revealed a very clear insight into character. 

" They universally admitted that they w^ere not in as good 
condition now as they had been ' at home,' but they 
expected to have better times by and by, and to earn money, 
and to keep house, and 'live like white folks.' Not one 
regretted their change of circumstances. 'Why, missis,' 
said a very intelligent mulatto woman, with considerable 
pretensions to beauty, who had come from Point Lookout, 
laying the forefinger of her right hand in the palm of her 
left, to give emphasis to her speech, 'we'd rather be just as 



CONTRABAND CAMP AT WASHINGTON. 373 

poor as we can be, and not die, if vve's only free, tbantobave 
all the money old massa had, or was eber gwine to hab, and 
belong to anybody.' 

" Compared with the white people of the North they are not 
industrious, but they will compare favorably with the humbler 
classes of whites at the South, and are even ahead of them 
in intellect and industry. Every morning the men of the 
camp go down into the city to get work for the day, and so 
do all the women without children, or who have not young 
children to take care of. Few of them fail to find emploj'-' 
ment. Government employs- the men, and the women find 
chance jobs of house-cleaning, washing, etc., for which they 
a'sk and receive moderate compensation. Many of them have 
thriven so well that they have rented an humble room or two, 
and have gone to housekeeping by themselves, which is an 
event to which all aspire. The contraband camp at Wash- 
ington is therefore a self-sustaining institution. 

" Our first visit to the contrabands j^roved so interesting, that 
we accepted an invitation from Mr. Nichols to attend their 
prayer-meeting in the evening. They hold meetings every 
evening as soon as supper is ended, and these meetings are 
the great staple of their enjoyment. In them they find never- 
failing ecstacy and bliss. They had alread}^ assembled, but 
the. arrival of a large company of white people had the effect 
to disband several minor meetings in progress in the various 
huts, and to augment the principal one in Mr. Nichols' 
quarters. 

" Room was made for us by the dense crowd, with great 
courtesy, the utmost decorum prevailed, seriousness sat on all 
faces, a hush reigned in the sable assembly, and the meeting 



374 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

commenced by the singing of a hymn. It was a song and 
chorus. The leader, a good singer, stood in the centre, and 
sang alone the first two lines, 

' I see de angels beck'ning, I hear dem call me 'way, 
I see de golden city, and de eberlasting day.' 

Then the whole congregation rose to their feet, and with a 
mighty rush of melody, and astonishing enthusiasm, joined 
in the inspiring chorus. 

' Oli I I'm going home to glory — won't you go along wid me, 
Wliar the blessed angels beckon, and de Lor, my Saviour, be.' 

" The leader was a good iraprovisatore, as well as singer, arid 
long after the stock of ready-made verses was exhausted, he 
went on and on, adding impromptu and rough rhymes, 
and the congregation came in promptly ; and with ever- 
rising enthusiasm, with the oft-repeated chorus. All sang 
with closed eyes, thus shutting out .all external impres- 
sions, and abandoned themselves to the ecstacy of the 
hour. The leader gesticulated violently, swinging his arms 
around his head, uplifting his hands and clasping them 
tightly, and pointing into infinite space, while his compan- 
ions swayed their bodies wildly to and fro, and beat time to 
the music with their feet, the swaying now and then beeom- 
ing wild and dizzy gyrations, and quick convulsive leaps 
from the floor. Accompanying all this was a general hand- 
shaking, in which we white people were included. One 
powerful Maryland woman nearly toppled me from the ele- 
vated, but precarious seat, which I had selected the better to 
look down on the con2;re2;ation, so fervent was her hand- 



UNDERGROUND PRAYER-MEETINa. 375 

clasping ; and all of us were glad when this exercise was 
ended, for our hands ached. 

After this followed a prayer. Never have I heard a 
prayer of more pathos and earnestness. It appealed to God 
for the justness of the cause of the slave. 'You know, O 
King,' said the kneeling supplicant, 'how many a time 
we've been hungry and had nofhn for to eat; how we've 
had no time to sleep, and take care ob our child en ; how 
we've been kept out in the frost and snow, and suffered 
many persecutions. But now, King, you've brought us up 
here under the shadow of the Union Arm}^, and we 'pcnd on 
Thee to do the rest. It is the cause of the childen, King, 
and we 'pend on Thee.' With the utmost fervor they prayed 
for the Union arm}^, that God would ' smother their enemies 
and gib 'em victory ; ' and to both these petitions the whole 
audience added a perfect tempest of supplicatory responses. 

"Mr. Nichols informed us that while the piety of these peo- 
ple is of the most orthodox kind, their morality is not so 
satisfactory. 

" The vices of slavery, very naturally, stick to them, and 
they are not strictly truth-telling, nor honest. But there has 
been a marked improvement in them in this respect, since 
they came in camp. Their religious nature is exceedingly 
active, and it would seem as if the negro character, repressed 
in every other development, had run wholly into religion. 
Now, under, the influence of freedom, their religious exercises 
are brightened by a gladness and gratitude that enhance 
their interest, and their supplications are mingled with 
thanksgiving. They assured us that all the slaves know of 
the President's Proclamation, and expect to be free before 



376 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the end of tbo war. And when tliej sang us their celebrated 
song, only secretly indulged in until recently, beginning, 

' Go tell Moses go down into Egypt, 
And tell King Pharaoh, let my people go,' 

the leader improvised verses at the close, suited to their cir- 
cumstances, and the congregation changed the chorus, shout- 
ing with excitement and gestures that would have been 
terrific, had they been less jubilant, 

'He WILL let my people go I ' 

" The closing song was one I had often heard before in the 
South, and which always upset my gravity. 

' Ole Satan's mad, and I am glad. 
He'll miss one soul he thought he had.' 

"Bidding us 'good-night,' the dusky forms vanished into 
the outer darkness, and we returned home, not much less 
excited than they, rehearsing all the way the songs, speeches 
and prayers to which we bad listened. 

' "M. A. L." 

« 

Before leaving Washington, I yielded to the urgent invi- 
tations of Mrs. IT. B. Grier and Mrs. Charles Hiester, associ- 
ate managers of Eastern branches, to visit Philadelphia and 
West Chester, the field of their sanitary labors. 

The day after my arrival at Philadelphia, a large meeting 
of ladies was convened, to consider the propriety of holding 
a fiiir in that city, for the benefit of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission. At their request I gave them a sketch of 



WEST CHESTER SANITARY MEETING. 377 

our Western labors and experience, and said in conclusion, 
what I knew to be true of my native city and youthful home 
(Philadelphia), that if she should inaugurate a Sanitary Fair, 
it would be scarcely second to any of its forerunners in 
results, and superior to all in elegance and completeness. 
At the close of the meeting, the ladies unanimously decided 
to hold a Fair. 

At West Chester, I had the opportunity of seeing and 
hearing something of the work of Eastern women in the 
rural districts. Under the lead of Mrs. Iliester, the Aid 
Society at that place was extremely efficient. It was 
interesting and significant, to find the eastern valley women, 
like their prairie sisters, flocking at the "bugle call," in 
crowds that filled a large church, to hear of the "Boys in 
Blue" in hospitals, swamps and rifle-pits of western warfare. 
The same earnest looks, hearty greetings, tearful attention 
and white faces, the same busy fingers and untiring zeal 
that abounded in the Western prairies, were at work in this 
lovely valley of Chester, east of the Alleghany Mountains, 
which, with their lofty peaks and deep valleys, formed geogra- 
phical divisions, but could not divide the nation's unity, nor 
check the electric thrill, that pervaded the loyal heart of the 
entire nation. True, the workers in the valley lived in ceiled 
houses, walked on paved streets, and were subdued in tone 
and manner, more than is the wont of prairie women ; but the 
• same patriotic hearts, generous impulses, strong wills -and 
willing hands, beat time to the music of the Union. 

There was a specialty in this meeting, that belonged to 
no other that I met during the war. To accommodate the 
scruples of some members of the Society of Friends, who by 



8TS THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

their creed are bound to give no aid or comfort to war, a 
" Freedmen's Branch " had been added to the relief work of 
West Chester. Plain, close caps, shading meek faces, were 
sprinkled through the audience. I noticed, however, that 
the work soon dropped from the hands of these benevolent 
women, and their wrapt attention and streaming ejes gave 
proof that their hearts responded to the call of humanity 
and patriotism, and that no sick or wounded soldier would 
lack a helping hand from them. 

I would fain dwell upon this pleasant memory — the sanitary 
meeting at West Chester — but space does not permit; suf&ce 
it to say, an hour after the meeting barely gave time to 
receive kind words, blessings and the tales of bereavement, 
found there as everywhere. These ladies afterwar^ls sent 
me an elegantly inscribed roll of parchment, to which were 
appended the prized autographs of the officers of the society. 
The roll was surmounted by an exquisite tiny flag, inserted 
with great skill, and the entire affair was so novel, rechercM 
and unique, that it must ever be preserved as a precious 
memorial. 

Before special notice of successive Sanitary Fairs, I pro- 
ceed to show their necessit}'', by introducing a brief sketch 
of a small 'portion of the supply work of the U. S. Sanitarj^ 
Commission in the Western field, requiring large accession 
of money and supplies, as was the case elsewhere. 

During the winter and spring of a.d. 1863, Dr. H. A. 
Warrincr, Sanitary Inspector of the Arm}^ of the Tennessee, 
had, from his base at Memphis, thrown out liberal supplies 
at Corinth, Jackson, Hamburg, etc. I had the pleasure 
of coming into frequent contact with this able official, 



DR. read's sanitary WORK AT DAXVILLE. 879 

especially at Yicksburg during the siege, where he was 
laboring, spite of bodily weakness, to the great benefit of 
the Western army, where he, and the Commissiou he 
represented, were thoroughly known and appreciated, as 
army blessings. So wisely did Dr. Warriner administer the 
stores, that Government frequently turned over to him boat- 
loads of ice, which he judiciously distributed, in addition to 
that furnished by the Sanitary Commission. 

Dr. Kead, Sanitary Jnspector of the Army of the Cum- 
berland, in accordance with the policy of the Commission, 
of careful preparation for exigencies, had been concentrating 
supplies at Louisville, in anticipation of coming' battles. 
Corisequently, after the battle of Perry ville. Dr. Eead was 
able to send at once to the field twenty-one ambulances, and 
three wagons, laden with supplies, attended by efficient 
agents, who issued them freely to needy and grateful sur- 
geons, for their suffering patients. 

Dr. Read himself pushed forward to Danville, where 
he found the court-house literally packed with wounded. 
With the assistance of a good Union man, who shot a 
bullock, and hauled the water some distance, as the wells 
were all dry ; and with a ^'■faculty'''' that would have immor- 
talized a down-east Yankee, in the absence of kettles and 
pails carried off by the rebels, the good doctor exhumed 
an iron kettle, and converted covered firkins with handles, 
and a wash-tub, into receptacles for soup. Over a fire made 
of old boards, picked np in the court-yard, he manufactured 
sixty-five gallons of this precious beverage, and with it fed 
crowds of starving and wounded men. In an adjacent 
carriage-house, after having scattered two loads of straw 



380 THE BOYS IN BLUE. ♦ 

upon the bare floors, he housed two hundred wounded 
soldiers lying unprotected. 

Ten additional tons of stores from the Sanitary Commis- 
sion reached the wounded at Perryville, before the hospital 
stores of Government arrived ; they having, in some un- 
accountable way, been detained on the railroads. 

As usual, at Ilarrodsburg, the rebel wounded were left 
upon our hands, and were treated as our own men, although 
in many instances they wore the Federal clothing, said to have 
been taken, perforce, from our soldiers. -A young rebel 
soldier in the hospital, with a U. S. overcoat on, was asked 
where he got it? He replied, "that when he was lying 
wounded on the battle-field, in a cold rain, a Federal soldier 
approached him, took off his overcoat and spread it over 
him." 

It was immediately after the battle of Perryville that hos- 
pital cars came into general use, in the sanitary work of the 
Western army. Their invention is chiefly due to Dr. Harris, 
a member of the U". S. Sanitary Commission. They com- 
mended themselves so fully to the surgeons of the army, 
and were so gratefully hailed by wounded men, that fourteen 
were prepared after the plans and specifications of the Com- 
mission, and were wholly, or in part, furnished by it. Ten 
of them ran regularly on long routes, and were frequently 
turned over by the superintendents to the Sanitary Commis- 
sion, as it had been proven they better understood their 
management, and the care of the sick and wounded men 
contained in them. " These cars were fitted up exclusively 
for the accommodation of the sick and wounded, with ham- 
mocks on elastic springs, couches, pillows and reclining 



THE SANITARY FAIR MANIA. 381 

chairs, a medicine-closet, a complete cuisine, and all the appli- 
ances and attendance of the hospitals. Thej were venti- 
lated, warmed and lighted, wi1,h special reference to the sick 
and wounded men, and most of them grooved to run on 
railways of different gauges, to avoid needless transfer of 
patients," 

During this time the Fair mania was spreading throughout 
the land with marvellous celerity. To use the words of Dr. 
Bellows, "it was in the air." It overleaped all boundaries, 
and was subject to no laws. It appeared almost simulta- 
neously in Boston, Cincinnati, Brooklyn, New York, Cleve- 
land, St. Louis, Baltimore, "Washington, Buffalo, Albany, 
Pittsburg and Philadelphia. Boston first followed suit, 
and was ready to report at the Woman's Council, held in 
Washington, January, 1864, proceeds from a Fair to the 
amount of $150,000. The queen city of the West, Cincinnati, 
also inaugurated a Sanitary Fair of huge proportions, that 
poured into the treasury two hundred and fifty thousand 
($250,000) dollars. This achievement was a marvel, at so 
early a stage in the history of fairs. 

The enthusiasm manifested by the business men of Cin- 
cinnati, gave a powerful impetus, and somewhat new direc- 
tion, to these benevolent efforts. Pressing sanitary business 
prevented us from spending more than one day in visiting it ; 
but that was sufficient to convince us, that its pecuniary 
results would far exceed those of its predecessors. Its full 
history has been published, and the limited time of our visit, 
and its great extent, forbid all attempts to describe minutely 
any department, when we had barely time to glance at its 
extended proportions — the results of the wonderful efforts of 



3S2 THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

its committee, consisting of ladies and gentlemen, Mr. 
Caldwell being its indefatigable chairman. 

It has been a source of grea.t regret that we were not able 
to attend the Sanitary Fairs of Brooklyn and New York, both 
astonishing efforts. The Brooklyn Fair promised to realize 
$200,000, and at its close was able to record double that 
amount of profits. Its great success, while it inspired 
renewed effort in behalf of the Metropolitan Fair of New 
York, led many to fear a repetition in the immediate neigh- 
bood could not be so successfully inaugurated ; but to the 
astonishment of all, the net proceeds of the New York 
Fair reached the maximum of $1,200,000, hearing the 
fcdm of moneyed results over all other Sanitary Fail's. Had 
the expectations and arrangements of the managers equalled 
the munificence of the people, it is said the results would 
have been greatly increased. The history of benevolence 
can rarely record the fact, that room could not be found for 
unexpected and overwhelming donations. Thus the ball 
gathered size and strength as it rolled onward, and accom- 
plished the circuit of the principal cities of all the loyal 
States. Leading men in all professions and occupations 
made haste to lay a stone in this novel and dazzling structure 
of charity, that bade fair to rival in splendor the superb 
temple of old. The daughters of the land polished the stones 
of this pure edifice, which must occupy a hallowed and prom- 
inent place in the history of the rebellion. Like all other 
new and mighty efforts, it was sealed with lives sacrificed 
upon its altar. Some earnest women that slept beneath its 
dome are enshrined as martyrs, in the hearts of the people. 

St. Louis, under the lead of her sanitary philanthropists, 



PITTSBURG SANITARY FAIR. 383 

J. E. Yeatman, Esq., and Rev. ^Y. E. EJiot, D.D., had 
realized from a magnificent Fair, held for the benefit of the 
Western Sanitary Commission, the freedmen and refugees, 
the enormous sum of $700,000. Philadelphia and Pittsburg 
had decided on similar efforts for the benefit of the Sanitary 
•Commission, which were consummated in the green and 
leafy month of June. 

, An invitation by letter and telegram, to attend the Phila- 
delphia Fair, drew me to the enchanted palace, and I shall 
ever rejoice I had the privilege of seeing it. On my way 
thither, I tarried a few daj^s in Pittsburg, and through the 
courtesy of Felix IT. Brunot, Esq., its executive chairman, 
and Mrs. McMillan, its able secretary, I had every oppor- 
tunity of seeing its various and beautiful arrangements. 

Each fair had a specialty, that grew out of its surround- 
ings. The Sanitary Fair at Pittsburg resembled a joyous 
family gathering. 

It was the golden wedding, if you please, of the Republic. 
The descendants came, hand-in-hand, with their votive offer- 
ings, as if all akin, to testify their love and loyalty to the 
dear mother of us all, who was entitled to special marks of 
devotion, because some of her lawful children (miscreants 
withal) had scouted her authority, and even dared to raise 
their parricidal hands to strike. • 

Pittsburg is an old cit}^, in Western parlance. She is a 
stable city, also. Her progress and j)opulation are steadily 
and rapidly advancing, but her oldest inhabitant has long 
ago -been gathered to his fathers. People in that proper, 
slightly smoky place are born and die, without moving twice a 
year. They marry and are given in marriage among friends 



384 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

4 

and kindred, and thus is formed a familiar, gregarious society, 
that budded and blossomed in its fullest development in the 
Sanitary Fair. It was sui generis, and to us peculiarly enjoya- 
ble, as a residence of seventeen years among its hospitable 
and generous people, had given us entree within the charmed 
circle. 

The Bazaar was fitted up with a great variety of booths, 
some very beautiful. Among the rest was the Chicago ■ 
booth, for the Garden City had not forgoiten her debt of 
honor, and hastened to pay a small instalment. The Board 
of Trade of the city of Chicago sent almost three thousand 
dollars in mone}', and the merchants and ladies a booth full 
of goods. A miniature Swiss cottage was the leading attrac- 
tion of the bazaar. It was complete, with several rooms 
on a lilliputian scale, beautifully furnished in proportion, 
and surrounded with a sodded dawn, gravelled walks, tiny 
flower-pots, and fairy fountains. The rooms were sufficiently 
large to admit adults, if properly submissive at the tsntrance, 
and would accommodate three or four misses at one time. 
It was for sale at the price of $1,000. No other Fair had so 
large and sensible a play-house. 

The striking glory of the Pittsburg Fair, however, w^as its 
Horticultural Hall, which occupied an entire building. Its 
central ornament consisted of wooded hills, moss-covered 
rocks, evergreens, running streams, lillipnt cottages, and 
mills with revolving wheels. Under the centre of the hill 
was Cudjo's Cave, a cool recess, with dripping waters, tmd 
lighted with a weird torch-light. A broad, oblong walk was 
bordered with beds of tropical plants and rich flowers, for 
the wealth of all surrounding conservatories had been poured 



MONITOR HALL AND ART GALLERY. 885 

into it. At one end was the Garden of Eden, where our 
first toother, with her Author and Disposer, stood ; and at the 
other extreme, was a bower of rest, in which brooks babbled 
over pebbles, cool fountains cast their spray, and rustic chairs 
beguiled the weary traveller, who paid by the minute for 
the luxury of a seat, " all for the Boys in Blue." 

In a modest corner was a bower, where Hebe and her train 
dispensed ambrosial fruit and nectar. The pretty conceit was 
not marred by the postal currency and greenbacks that rapidly 
accumulated, and were, alas ! so necessary, to the comfort of 
the brave "heroes of the rank and file." All the original 
features of the Pioneer Fair were here duplicated, and a 
unique and interesting feature introduced. In Monitor Hall 
was exhibited a mimic fight, between the Merrimac and the 
Monitor, which attracted a crowd of juveniles, and children 
of larger growth. Through the liberality and kindness of 
the Messrs, Knapp, of the Fort Pitt Iron- works, of Pitts- 
burg, this beautiful and original department was duplicated 
at the Boston and last North- Western Sanitary Fair. 

John H. Shoenberger, Esq., one of the most liberal and 

patriotic citizens of Pittsburg, opened his extensive gallery 

of art, for the benefit of the Fair ; a fine illustration of the 

universal, hearty and family character of this enterprise, 

which seemed to enlist every man, woman and child within 

the bounds of the city and adjoining country. In all 

the fairs that succeeded the first, large contributions were 

made' before the fair began. The excitement afforded a fine 

opportunity to open the pockets of wealthy individuals and 

corporations. Liberal responses were made, and Pittsburg 

realized the splendid sum of $300,000 net proceeds — a glori- 

25 



886 , ' THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

ous record for the Iron City. No other excelled her in 
patriotism, nor in liberality to the Union soldiers. 

I found myself, on the second day of June, at the Great 
Central Sanitary Fair, held in Philadelphia, within sight and 
sound of its opening ceremonies, which were exciting and 
impressive. The breaking of the platform threatened serious 
interruption ; but the interposing arm of its executive chair- 
man stilled the rising waters, and order was promptly 
restored. I passed almost ten days of uninterrupted enjoy- 
"ment in this Aladdin's palace, and shall give but a rapid 
sketch " en passant,^^ of its most striking features, as they 
revealed themselves to me day by day. 

The Central Fair was metropolitan in extent, esprit 
and surroundings. It was elegant in contributions, attend- 
ants and decorations, complete in plan, buildings and arrange- 
ments. A master-hand was at the helm, guiding the great 
vessel, noiselessly, but steadily and triumphantly, through 
the innumerable shoals of a popular sea, to a safe harbor. 
John Welsh, Esq., a man of large public business, consented 
cheerfully to accept the arduous post of Chairman of the 
Executive Committee of the Great Central Fair, and by his 
administrative skill, rare perseverance and courteous bearing, 
secured its successful issue. 

A highly important branch of the great Fair, involving its 
artistic display and elegant arrangements, and second only to 
its general organization and control, was the Committee of 
gentlemen and ladies on Internal Arrangements ; having 
respectively, Mr. James Henry Orme and Mrs. George 
Plitt, as chairmen. These officers, by their skill, taste and 
zeal, did much to render the ^^ spectacle'^ unparalleled, and 



PHILADELPHIA CENTRAL SANITARY FAIR. 387 

fully sustained the hands of the Chairman of the Fair, in 
his manifold labors. 

C. J. Stille, Esq., its secretary, has elaborated a valuable 
and interesting history of the Fair, inaccessible to the masses, 
from its expensive edition. and limited number of copies. 
This fact emboldens me to give the impressions of one from 
abroad, as I know that thousands desire it, who lacked the 
opportunity of seeing this Sanitary Fair. The names of the 
officers of the Executive Committee were as follows ; 

John Welsh, Chairman; Caleb Cope, Treasurer; Charles 
J. Stille, Corresponding Secretary ; Horace Howard Furness, 
Recording Secretary ; George W. Hunter, Assistant Secre- 
tary ; William B. Dayton, Assistant Secretary. 

Philadelphia was eminently a proper place in which to 
inaugurate a Sanitary Fair. It was the birth-place of the 
Bepublic so wantonly assailed, for the benefit of whose brave 
defenders the great series of Fairs had begun and were running 
their course. On Plymouth Rock, the apostles of freedom 
first set foot, and sowed broadcast the principles of civil and 
religious liberty; in Phildelphia, those principles were 
moulded and elaborated into a constitutional form; sealed, 
signed and delivered to the people, September 17, A. d. 1787, 
the first signature being 

George. Washington, 
President and Deputy from Virginia. 

Broad flings had been cast at the patriotism of the City of 
Brotherly Love. As it had been my birth-place and early 
home, I did not fear, but was content to wait developments. 
« By their fruits shall ye know them." 



388 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Almost coeval with the transit of troops, were the great 
refreshment saloons of Philadelphiaj furnished and attended 
bj volunteers, inviting every soldier in transitu to take 
a warm, comfortable meal. These were followed by chapels, 
reading-rooms and hospital corps ; all proving that the spirit 
of '76 still lived and flourished. 

Esthetics found their fullest development and exposition 
in the great Central Sanitary Fair, that impressed its myriad 
visitors with its vastness, its completeness, and its unity ; all 
of which were fully disclosed by its unparalleled location. 

Its vastness may be comprehended from the statement that 
over a million and a half feet of lumber were required for its 
buildings, which covered an area of two hundred thousand 
square feet. 

Its completeness. Each department was so thoroughly and 
independently organized, that each seemed a fair within a 
fair, in perfect running order, but subject to its federal head; 
and this produced 

Its unity, which was entire — emblematic of the empire of the 
Eepublic — complete in all its parts, still one and indivisible. . 

Its location was Logan Square, a spacious public park, 
whose broad walks seemed to have been created for the 
buildings of the Fair, and whose lofty forest-trees lent their 
leafy branches for ornament and shade, to the waiting and 
departing multitudes. 

I would not describe the manifold parts of this fair, but 
barely glance at its leading departments, ranged on either 
side of the main artery of this stupendous enterprise. 

Union Avenue was the central building occupied by the 
bazaar, five hundred and forty feet in length, sixty-four feet 



UNION HALL — HALL OF ARMS AND TROPHIES. 389 

in width, at its apex fifty-one feet in height; The sides 
were perpendicular; the roof a Gothic arch, secured by 
Howe trusses. The fresh June foliage of the branches that 
nestled in the arches, robed the naked rafters with rich 
green and delicate tracery, surpassing all frescoes as orna- 
ments. Below this natural decoration, bright banners, tro- 
phies and guidons, were displayed from the arched ribs, 
contrasting finely with the green leaves. 

The coup d'ceil of this unbroken arch (said to be the longest 
in existence) from the orchestral gallery at twilight, when the 
dim light stretched the long aisles and multiplied the arches, 
resembled the vaulted roofs of old cathedrals, and when its 
thousand burners at once leaped from the darkness, the light- 
ing of St. Peter's dome could only exceed it in strange beauty. 
With the full blaze of light, bands of music, heraldic devices, 
rough beams and green trees mingled with armorial bearings, 
it required but little imagination to conjure up King Alfred's 
merrymakings, and the feasts of good old Saxon days. 

The tables on either side, filled to repletion with choice 
productions of art and skill, attended by ladies of leisure, 
refinement and culture, more eager to sell and persevering 
to endure than the tradesman, dependent on sales for daily 
support, the great bazaar became the living embodiment of 
the zeal of a patriotic people for its ideal — a Government of 
universal freedom, of civil and religious liberty, the most 
significant and unanswerable argument in favor of our young 
Republic. SJsto perpetua ! 

THE HALL OF ARMS AND TROPHIES 

Gave evidence of the rare skill of the committees in charge, 



890. ' THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

who succeeded in rendering this always interesting depart- 
ment of a fair, attractive from its beautv, fine taste, and 
effective arrangement. The monster cannon were wreathed 
with stripes and stars, flanked with gleaming blades and 
rifles, wrought into forms of beauty. Shot and shell were 
disposed in comely siaapes ; and relics of the war of a.d. 
1812, of the Mexican war, and of the war of the rebellion, 
with beautiful models of fortifications and monitors, re- 
lieved monotony. Eelics of good men and of bad men, of 
patriots and of traitors — autographs and ancient manuscripts, 
black-letter books, legal relics and treason-warrants — in fine, 
enough to transport an antiquary, were gathered together 
with such skill, that even the musty tomes and quaint, 
homely relics, were beguiled of their roughness. At the 
north end of the hall, opposite the entrance, on a raised 
platform, stood a warrior, clad in burnished steel, flanked on 
either side by brass cannon. A unique and brilliant back- 
ground was composed of semicircular tiers of swords, mus- 
kets, rapiers, and spears, that reached almost to the ceiling, 
where was perched an eagle, wreathed with the stripes and 
stars. The exquisite, tri-colored bunting drapery completed 
the beauty of the department, and redounded great credit on 
the decorator. But time presses. We must hasten toward 
the triumph of nature and art, the greatest wonder of the 
greatest Fair, 

THE HORTICULTUEAL. DEPARTMENT. 

As I enter the vestibule of this temple of Flora, I pause 
at its threshold, abashed at my audacity in essaying its 
description. In the ocean of the past, that green isle lies 



HORTICULTURAL HALL. 391 

nestled undisturbed, for it has no peer in loveliness, and iu 
its presence, even the captious are silent. Artistic skill and 
beauty seemed to have been exhausted in Union Hall. In 
Floral Hall, God's works were grouped and arranged by 
His master-workman — man — with skill divine, as taught in 
Eden. Its rich and fragrant memory seems to mock me, 
laughing, as it flies. 

Horticultural Hall was one hundred and ninety feet 
in diameter, and was composed of six concentric circles, 
surmounted with a canvas dome, eighty-five feet wide 
at its base. The central circle was an island, and con- 
tained a huge pyramid of plants, thirty feet in height. Its 
gecond circle was a lake, fifteen feet wide, and three 
hundred feet in circumference. A flower-bed, three feet 
in width, filled with choice plants, girded this lake and 
formed the third circle. A walk, twenty-five feet wide, 
flanked by fifty columns, each surmounted with double 
gas-burners, made the fourth ring of beauty. The fifth 
circle consisted of twelve double floral tables surrounded 
with fifty other coiumns, which formed the inside bound- 
ary of the sixth and last circle, a grand promenade, 
twenty-five feet in width and almost six hundred feet 
in length. This walk was bordered with orange and lemon 
trees in full fruitage ; oleanders, pomegranates, and magno- 
lias in rich bloom ; refreshment tables containing " ambrosial 
fruit," luscious scarlet berries smothered in snowy cream, 
ices, sherbet, lemonades, etc, etc., being interspersed at 
convenient distances. This outline is colossal in proportion, 
graceful in curves, rich in promise, still, after all, only a 
skeleton. The bewildering grace and irresistible fasci- 



392 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

nation of its full development realized youth's brightest 
dreams. 

The central pyramid of plants was composed of date-palms, 
bnnanas, rhododendrons, pomegranates and pineapples. In- 
dia, Australia, Madagascar and Bourbon had brought their 
treasures from afai', and poured them into the lap of charity. 
Orpheus, from the recesses of this fairy isle, breathed forth 
melting strains; while classic figures, glimpsing through the 
openings, and model deer peering from the foliage, height- 
ened the magical effect. 

The goddess of this temple wore a triple crown. Surmount- 
ing her floral decoration was a crystal dome, formed of a 
hundred and fifty water jets, falling over a hundred and 
fifty gas jets, which, when leaping beneath the crystal drops, 
shivered them into a million fragments, forming a diadem be- 
fore which the Kohinoor must pale. The lake that held this 
enchanted island in its embrace, was adorned with twenty- 
four fountains, gurgling through swans' mouths, revolving 
in circles or spirals, toying with golden balls, or shaking 
from their feathery heads, spray that watered the surrounding 
plants. Victoria regia, the royal water-plant, basked on the 
silver lake, spreading its huge green leaves. Fragrant water- 
lilies, tiny craft, model water-fowl, and a graceful rustic 
bridge, completed its aquatic decorations. 

The flower-bed bordering it was neatly edged with sod, 
watered by day and renewed at night, and was ornamented 
with large vases of choice and rare exotics, in full bloom. In 
the same bed, at night, gas jets formed the stamens of artifi- 
cial callas, so cunningly devised that they deceived even the 
skilled, who in this miracle of splendor, doubted nothing. 



THE GREAT RESTAURANT. 893 

The hundred pillars were festooned and twined witli 
evergreens, orchids and hanging baskets of flowers, mosses, 
and trailing vines. Grottes, aquarise, ferneries and fruits, 
enriched the charming mdee^ while the air was heavy with 
the fragrance of violets, pinks, roses, jasmines, mignonette 
and magnolias. Young girls, with tiny, rice-straw baskets 
filled with flowers (the exquisite floral badge attached to the 
left shoulder), tempted purchasers, till each person held up 
for safety a basket or bouquet of flowers, thus creating a for- 
est of circling bloom, mingled with radiant faces, merry 
voices and graceful forms. 

The glitter, animation and delight of the moving multitude,' 
the eager competition of the fair saleswomen as they displayed 
their tempting wares, completed the charm of this wondei-ful 
place. Few persons that saw it once, but were tempted to re- 
turn again and again, by its surpassing beauty, sweet scents 
and murmuring waters, constantly falling and refreshing vis- 
itors and foliage. 

" Must I thus leave thee, Paradise ? thus leave 
Thee, native soil ? these happy walks and shades, 
Fit haunt for gods ? " 

Let us alight from these airy flights, and learn how even 
the epicurean art may be sublimated by charity, and form 
meet company for its bewitching neighbors. An avenue of 
canned fruits and rare confections, arranged in fantastic forms, 
pyramids, pagodas, arches and fortifications, and of bubbling 
soda and water fountains, led to the temple of Epicurus, the 
great 



394 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



RESTAURANT. 



The building was a ring one hundred and seventy feet 
in diameter, and forty feet in height, ceiled with a wooden 
canopy richly draped with tricolored bunting, converging in 
rays from its centre to its circumference. From its highest 
point was suspended a circular gas-burner, that shed at 
night a mellow light on the moving panorama below. The 
canopy was supported by a double row of pillars ornament- 
ed with warlike and musical instruments, and emblems finely 
grouped, the shields containing portraits of distinguished 
persons. The wooden wall was made beautiful and signifi- 
cant by a drapery of stars and stripes on which were written 
in Vhite letters, the names of bloody battles that had 
developed Sanitary Fairs — these popular outbursts of grati- 
tude and patriotism. In the area of the Hall stood one 
hundred and eighty tables, capable of accommodating 
seven hundred and twenty persons at the same time. 
Thirty small numbered tables were placed at stated inter- 
vals,> in charge of thirty ladies dressed in black, with thirty 
pages to attend them. Each lady cashier had charge of 
six tables, made out the bills, and received and deposited the 
money daily. The picturesque effect of the scene was 
' heightened by the trim figures, rapid movements, and neat 
dresses of one hundred and sixty well-trained colored 
waiters, dressed in black, with immaculate jackets, vests, 
and aprons, and a tricolored rosette on the left shoulder. 
The cuisine of this great establishment was on a scale in 
proportion with its design. It occupied sixty square feet, 
and had a range twenty-six feet long, and accommodations 



THE ART GALLERY. 395 

for cooking for five thousand persons. On an average, nine 
thousand persons dined here daily during the progress of the 
Fair, and seventy-two thousand eight hundred and fifty 
dollars were received from the sales. This brief sketch may 
give some idea of the extent of the plan and the complete- 
ness of the details. As an exhibition of administrative 
ability and elegant neatness, it was unsurpassed. A seat 
in the outer circle of tables, gave ample opportunity for 
observation'. 

At the tables, the fair, roguish faces of the young cashiers 
in their sober habiliments, the darting movements of the 
nimble pages, the sable hues of the waiters, in fine contrast 
with their white trimmings and gay rosettes ; the tricolored 
canopy and flood of soft light falling from above, formed a 
tableau vivant that excelled in life and beauty, any other 
perhaps ever exhibited in this land. 

THE ART GALLERY. 

The temple of the muses at the great Central Fair was on 
the liberal scale of the other departments, and vied in rich- 
ness and fascination with the temple of Flora. A brick 
building, five hutfdred feet in length, twenty-six feet wide, 
and fifteen feet in height, was erected. Along the centre of 
the roof ran a spacious sky-light, that afforded ample and 
suitable light and ventilation, rendering the room at all times 
comfortable, with its multitude of visitors, and innumerable 
gas-burners, producing the precise light that artists choose 
for the full development of their pictures. The committee 
manifested both good taste and judgment in selecting from 
the bewildering profusion of contributions the works of 



396 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

modern masters, many of whom were our native artists. 
The wonderful success of this Art Gallery, said to have con- 
tained the finest collection of pictures ever exhibited in this 
country, and the crowds that constantly thronged it, at an 
average of twelve thousand persons daily, proved that 
genuine art, in its freshness and beauty, is appreciable by 
those who possess ordinary culture and refinement, and the 
love of the beautiful that God has implanted in the human 
breast. 

The tout ensemble of this culmination of artistic beauty 
and grace, the faithful reproductions of nature and art, the 
rich, but su'bdued coloring, choice light, and gliding 
throngs of living beauty, yielded pure and elevated enjoy- 
ment to multitudes, to whom they had been as a sealed 
book, and produced profound regret, that these visions of 
beauty might not be permanent, and continue to gild the 
material life of an eminently practical people, and become 
a well-spring of joy in the City of Brotherly Love. 

The speech of our lamented President, at the collation, 
during his visit to the Philadelphia Fair, will form a fit con- 
clusion to this brief and imperfect sketch. His simple 
utterances were applicable to the entire series of fairs, and 
patriotic efforts, in behalf of the army. The italicized 
vfrords contain the opinion of Abraham Lincoln of the 
" Boys in Blue, the Heroes of the Eank and File." 

PRESIDENT Lincoln's speech. 

" I suppose that this toast was intended to open the way 
for me to say something. [Laughter.] "War at the best 
is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude, and in 



PRESIDENT LLNCOLN'S SPEECH AT THE FAIR. 397 

its duration, is one of the most terrible. It has deranged 
business totally in many localities, and partiall}' in .all 
localities. It has destroyed property, and ruined homes ; it 
has produced a national debt and taxation, unprecedented, at 
least in this country; it has carried mourning to almost 
every home, until it can be said the " heavens are hung 
in black; " yet it continues, and several relieving coincidents 
have accompanied- it from the beginning, which have not 
been known, as I have understood, or have any knowledge 
of, in any former wars in the history of the world. The 
Sanitary Commission, with all its benevolent labors ; the 
Christian Commission, with all its Christian and benevolent 
labors ; and the various places, arrangements, so to speak, 
and institutions, have contributed to the comfort and relief 
of the- soldiers. You have two of these places in this city — 
the Cooper Shop and Union Volunteer Eefreshment Saloons. 
[Great applause and cheers.] And lastly, these Fairs, which, 
I believe, began only in last August, if I mistake not in 
Chicago; then at Boston, at Cincinnati, at Brooklyn, at New 
York, at Baltimore, and those at present held at St. Louis, 
Pittsburg and Philadelphia. 

" The motive and object that lie at the bottom of all these 
are most worthy, for say what you ivilh after all, t/ie most is 
due to the, soldier, who takes his life in his hand, and goes to fight 
the battles of his country. [Cheers.] In what is contributed 
to his comfort, when he passes to and fro, and in what is 
contributed to him when he is sick and wounded, in what- 
ever shape it comes, whether from the fair and tender hand 
of woman, or from any other source, is much, very much ; 
but I think there is still that which has as much value to 



898 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

him — he is not forgotten, [Cheers.] Another view of these 
vamous institutions is worthy of consideration, I think. They 
are voluntary contributions, given freely, zealously and 
earnestly, on top of all the disturbances of business, the taxa- 
tion and burdens that the war has imposed upon us, giving 
proof that the national resources are not at all exhausted — 
[Oheers] that the national spirit of patriotism is even stronger 
than at the commencement of the rebellion." 



GENERAL GRANT COMMANDS THE UNION ARMIES. 899 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Gen. Grant assumes command of the Union Armies. — Continued fight- 
ing. — Gr,eat need of sanitary supplies. — U. S. Sanitary Commission 
and Soldiers' Home resolve to hold a fair. — Great plans. — Close of 
the war. — Less enthusiasm. — President Lincoln. — Trip to Washing- 
ton. — Visit to Mr. Lincoln. — Interview. — President's levee. — Inter- 
view with Secretary Stanton. — Admiral Farragut and Charles 
Sumner. — Miss Peabody. 

Lieutenant-General Grant took command of the 
entire Union armies, east and west, March, A.D. 1864. To use 
the expressive language in his report, they had " heretofore 
acted independently, like a balky team, no two ever pulling 
together, enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his 
interior lines of communication for transporting troops from 
east to west, reenforcing the army most vigorously pressed, 
and to furlough large numbers, during seasons of inactivity 
on our part, to go to their homes, and do the work of pro- 
ducing for the support of their armies. It was a question 
whether our numerical strength and resources were not more 
than balanced by these disadvantages and the enemy's 
superior position." General Grant planted himself on the 
banks of the Rapidan, and announced his policy of massing 
the largest possible bodies of troops against the enemy, and 
hammering them incessantly, till they should be ground to 



400 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

powder. On this line he proposed to fight it out; and he 
did, after a year's perpetual attrition. 

At this time, the Mississippi river was opened its entire 
length, and all the States west and north of it were within 
the Union lines. Louisiana, Arkansas south of the Arkan- 
sas river, and Texas, were in possession of the enemy, with 
an armed force of 80,000 men, and the entire disloyal popu- 
lation to guard them, and harass our troops. A-Vest Virginia 
was within our lines ; but the whole of Virginia, except its 
boundary, the Potomac river, and a small area at the mouth 
of the James, and the'border of the Eapidan, occupied by our 
troops, was in possession of the enemy. East Tennessee was 
hgld by our troops, and a foothold had been gained in 
Georgia, and on the coasts of North and South Carolina and 
Florida ; but the interior of this vast area of country, with 
its communications and defences, was in the enemy's hands. 

To accomplish the subjugation of so vast an extent of 
country, required not only great intellectual comprehension, 
administrative ability, and military skill, but numerous 
bloody battles, that taxed to the utmost the powers of the 
benevolent organizations pledged to assist the Government in 
its care of the sick and wounded. From the 4th of May, 
when the Army of the Potomac began to move, the Lieu ten- 
ant-General kept the trip-hammer pounding. The mighty 
engine accomplished its work, but in so doing rapidly filled 
hospitals and graves. The battles of the Wilderness, Spott- 
sylvania. North Anna and Cold Harbor, while they effect- 
ually crippled and demoralized the enemy, made bloody 
work in the Union ranks, and called for unlimited sanitary 
supplies. In like manner, the brilliant campaign and 



SANITARY FAIR. 401 

sanguinary battles of Gen, Sherman, from Chattanooga to 
Atlanta, and the fierce battle at Nashville, between Generals 
Thomas and Hood, bad almost exhausted the funds and 
supplies of the North-Western Sanitary Commission, and 
rendered extraordinary effort necessarj'-, to meet these 
increased demands. 

At the same time, the Soldiers' Home of Chicago was 
greatly in need of funds, for the erection of a permanent 
dwelling for disabled soldiers. Upon deliberation between 
the representatives of these respective organizations, it was 
determined to hold a joint mammoth Fair, for their benefit; 
the Soldiers' Home to receive $25,000, and the balance to 
go to the Sanitary Commission. The board for this joint 
Fair was elected by representatives chosen from each body, 
and its executive committee was constituted as follows : 

Thomas B. Bryan, President ; E. B. McCagg, Vice-Presi- 
dent; E. W. Blatchford, Treasurer; Mrs. D. P. Livermore, 
Mrs. A, H. Hoge, Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, Mrs. C. P. Dickinson, 
Corresponding Secretaries. Its inauguration was deferred 
till June, when the weather in the neighborhood of Lake 
Michigan would be more conducive to comfort and the 
beauty of the Fair. The movement was hailed with enthu- 
siasm, and promised to be the crowning Fair of the series. . 

The heavy blows of our army had proved too much for the 

rebellion, reduced to a mere shell, and its crust was broken 

on the 9th of April, A. d. 1865, when the rebel Gen. 

Lee surrendered his army to Gen. Grant. The nation was 

convulsed with joy and gratitude to God, and the brave 

leaders, and equally brave men in the ranks. 

The effect of the sudden collapse of the rebellion was 

2G 



402" THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

damaging to the Fair. It was difficult to convince tlie 
people that hospitals were necessary, after war had ceased. 
The}'" could not reahze the wounds, sickness and distress 
left in the train of battles, and with the cessation of the ex- 
citement the zeal of many grew cold, and the pledged 
donations were largely withdrawn. In addition to these dis- 
couragements, the Fair was paralyzed by the terrific blow 
under which the nation reeled. The President, had consented 
to visit it, and permit the people of the Korth-West to look 
upon his face, for the first time since he had gone out from 
them, to take the helm of the Ship of State, which he had 
guided through perilous storms and rocks, in sight of a safe 
and glorious harbor. Myriads of loyal hearts were pant- 
ing to welcome him, when slavery the foe of freedom, and 
its apostle, who should be consigned to a nameless as well 
as unknown grave, sped the fatal ball, and plunged an 
elated nation into the depths of woe. 

The news of this disaster reached Chicago on the day 
appointed for a joyous procession, to break the ground for 
the Sanitary Fair, No need to tell the story, for it was the 
same throughout the land. "Rachel mourning for her 
children, and would not be comforted, because they are not," 
aptly described the unutterable woe of a stricken people. 
The procession was abandoned. "Ichabod" was written on 
the projected walls of the splendid structure, and with heavy 
hearts and hands the work was begun. The precious 
memory of our departed leader was linked inseparably with 
the forthcoming enterprise, cast a sacred halo round it, 
and influenced its entire proceedings. The ladies met and 
decided to wear mourning badges, and a black and white 



BURNSIDE'S army passing through WASHINGTON-. 403 

costume, as a token of respect and sorrow for the mart3'rccl 
President, and appointed a committee to address a letter of 
condolence to his bereaved widow. Ilis likeness and 
emblems adorned every booth, and the feeling prevailed that 
his spirit hovered around the patriotic charity, for the benefit 
of his beloved army, which he cherished with fatherly 
tenderness. 

Of this we saw a fine illustration, on .the occasion of a 
division of Gen. Burnside's army passing through AVashing- 
ton. The President stood on a balcony at WillaTd's Hotel, 
as plainly clad as the most humble. The day w^as exces- 
sively hot. lie wore a linen blouse. Ilis tall figure was 
conspicuous, leaning forward ; his eyes overflowing with 
tears as he gazed intensely on the marching heroes, while 
he clapped his hands with the multitude. His great heart 
was so filled with the scene, that he was oblivious of a sudden 
shower that threatened to drench him. He was advised by 
a friend to retreat under the shelter of the roof, but said 
reproachfully, "If ihey can stand it, I can.'''' 

In the progress of preparation for the Fair it was deemed 
advisable that Mrs. Livermore and myself, as among its 
officers, should visit Washington, to carry the official invita- 
tion to the President, Mrs. Lincoln and several distin- 
guished statesmen, and visit the Eastern branches of the Cora- 
mission, to secure their cooperation. Mrs, 0. E. Hosmer was 
at the same time appointed to visit Memphis, Yicksburg and 
New Orleans, for the same purpose, and met with large suc- 
cess. We proceeded at once to Washington. Previous to 
onr visit we had been in correspondence with several friends 
of the President and Airs. Lincoln, who had prepared their 



404 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

minds for the favorable reception of the proposition. 
Accompanied by Hon. Jesse O. Norton, and lion. I. N. 
Arnold, by appointment, we called upon the President one 
Saturday morning, in February, and presented the invitation. 
The ante-room was filled with an anxious crowd, each one 
having a petition to offer, and doubtful of its issue. 

On entering the private room of the President, we were 
deeply touched with the pleasant smile and cordial recog- 
nition with which he greeted us. Throwing aside cares 
he conversed cheerfully, and with his quaint simplicity 
and humor. When the invitation was delivered in due 
form, he gave us the assurance that, unless prevented by 
State reasons, he would attend the Fair ; and twenty-four 
hours before his assassination, he stated his intention to do so. 

The interview of that day is clad with tender interest. 
In many respects it was remarkable — almost prophetic. 
The dawn of peace and liberty now appeared in the horizon, 
and the soul of the Chief Magistrate was uplifted with the 
hope of the full morning. We urged as a reason for his 
attendance at the Fair, that the North- West was lonsiino; for 
his appearance ; that he needed change and rest ; the 
nation felt he must have them. "Pest!" he exclaimed 
humorously — "go to a Fair to rest! I tried that once, at 
Philadelphia, and I will give you my experience. Crowds 
awaited us at every station on our journey, all expecting a 
speech from the President, and then they cheered till we were 
out of hearing. As there were many stations, there was 
not much rest. I could not refuse to see and speak to the 
people. They ivere so loyal; and I knew it' was hecause I 
represented the country^ for which they had suffered so much and 



INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 405 

SO wUlinglij^ that they wished to see and liear me. At Phila- 
delphia, the people formed a solid phalanx. We could see 
nothing but masses of heads. The deafening shouts and 
cheers never ceased. Arrived at the Fair, your promised 
haven of rest^ 'twas worse than ever ; and oh ! oh ! the 
shaking of hands! During the collation, for half an hour, 
was the only quiet we enjoyed. The good people followed 
us to the hotel, and serenaded us till near daybreak; and the 
next day I came home, pleased and gratified, but worn out 
worse than before I went." 

"Mr. President," said Mrs. Livermore, "I feel constrained 
to tell you that the enthusiasm of Philadelphia will be fir 
exceeded at the West. Crowds will increase just in propor- 
tion as you reach your old home. The whole North-West is 
ablaze to see" you." 

Was it a foreshadowing of coming events that dictated my 
words ? 

" Mr. President, myriads of friends will greet you, but if 
you will consent to come, we will shield you from persecu- 
tion ; we will put you on a steamer on the border of Lake 
Michigan, where the peo-ple can look at you, hut can't touch 
you ; your hands shcdl le protected^ and then ice will send you 
to a quiet place of rest, luhere none can folloio you. lou shall 
go to Mackinaw, that invigorating and lovely island, and 
none shall he permitted to trouble you?^ He laughed as gleefully 
as a child, and rubbing his long hands, said, " That's capital ! 
that will do." 

The President came to Chicago before the Fair opened, 
with a retinue of State, and passed through interminable 
crowds and under lofty arches. Myriads gazed on him, but 



40 G THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

not one touclied him. His weary hands were folded, and an 
iron barrier protected them. No shouts, nor cheers, nor 
joyous music heralded his coming; but dirges, requiems, 
silent foot- falls, streaming eyes and bursting hearts, were his 
reception. And then we sent him away to a quiet spot to 
rest, where none could follow him ; "where the wicked cease 
from troubling, and the weary are at rest." And all this hap- 
'pened on the borders of Lahe Michigan. The green prairies, 
studded with bright flowers, opened their swelling bosoms 
to receive their own beloved home again, till the morning of 
the resurrection. 

To return to the interview with the President at Washing- 
ton. At his request we repaired to the White House half 
an hour earlier than the opening of the reception, saw Mrs, 
Lincoln, and presented our invitation. She accepted it cour- 
teously, and expressed a determination to accompany the 
President, if he should be able to leave Washington. 

After what proved to be the last hearty grasp of Abraham 
Lincoln's warm, broad hand, we retreated to a sheltered nook 
in his vicinity, where we could observe the people as they 
came to pay their respects to him. We had seen and heard 
him speak in public, had met him in private several times, 
and attended previous levees, but had never been so im- 
pressed with the simple grandeur of the man, as on this 
memorable occasion. 

His toilet was simple, but studiously neat. He was be- 
comingly attired in a full suit of black. His swarthy and 
furrowed visage, that usually looked as if his soul was aching 
for the nation's woes, was gilded by a smile as cheering as 
a sudden burst of sunlight, scattering portentous clouds. The 



president's levee. 407 

heavy burden was loosening, the shoulders were unbent, and 
he stood six feet two inches in height, looking fearlessly and 
hopefully in the face of the people. 

The Hon, Schuyler Colfax once said: "Mr. Lincoln had 
two ruling ideas, or principles, which governed his life. The 
first was hatred of slavery, which he inherited in part from 
his parents ; the other was sympathy with the lowly-born 
and humble, and desire to lift them up." The renowned 
statesman fully apprehended the genius of the man, and 
furnished the key to his character and policy. His broad 
humanity and magnetic power were the natural outgrowth 
of these staunch roots, and made him what he was, emphat- 
ically, the 2')eo2)Ie^s President. 

The multitude that throngjed the levee was such an one as 
may be found at a republican court, and nowhere else. All 
the people had a right to come, and come as they chose, or 
as best they might. Some rolled over the smooth carriage- 
way to the White House in dazzling equipages, with liveried 
attendants, and were clad in velvet and royal ermine. Some 
wore badges and decorations, that signified rank and honor- 
able service. Some went on foot, wearing sober but comely 
garments; and some with well-kept, thread-bare clothes, the 
mark of decent poverty. We noticed, as we stood apart, 
unseen, that the President treated all courteously ; but his 
special and coveted .attentions were bestowed on the meek 
and lowly, and on the battered veterans of the " rank and file." 
He stood erect in his place, as ghtter and pomp, youth and 
beauty, approached him, with an extended hand and smile 
of welcome; but when a pale-faced little woman, with black 
cotton shawl and gloves, and rusty bonnet, drev/ near tim- 



40S THE BOYS IX BLUE. 

idlj, scarcely raising her eyes, he stepped forward to meet 
her, bent over h^r, held her hand, till, in a low voice, he 
murnaured words, unheard of men, but registered in heaven, 
that flushed the white face, raised the bowed head, and illu- 
mined the sad countenance with a flitting smile, as she 
passed on with a lighter step. Could it be that the meagre 
weeds she wore emblemized patriotic sacrifice ? So it seemed ; 
and the words of praise and tenderness from the Commander- 
in-Chief, had been to her as the balm of Gilead. 

As each rusty, battered or maimed veteran .approached the 
President, he stepped from his place to meet him, as if he 
were each soldier's debtor. After such welcome, he w\as 
at home and happy, and might be seen resting in an arm- 
chair of the East Room, gazing with delight and wonder on 
the gay throng and beautiful flowers, while the band played 
patriotic airs — a striking contrast to his three years' 
home ; camps, transports and hospitals. 

Our next visit was to Mr. Stanton, Secretary of "War. 
While we were awaiting our turn, we had a better oppor- 
tunity than we had previously enjoyed, of scanning the man 
at the head of the War Department, of iron nerves, strong 
will and patriotic heart, on whom the President leaned so 
confidingly; and whose eyes, unused to weep, shed such 
bitter tears around his dying couch. 

Mr. Stanton stood at the extreme part of his long, narrow 
reception-room, opposite the entrance. One ari^^ rested on 
his desk ; his countenance was thoughtful ahnost to stern- 
ness, and his searching eyes bent on the ground, except when 
they were raised to scan each new-comer. The lines in his 
overhanging brow were deeper than the j^ear before ; the 



INTERVIEW WITH MR. STANTON. 409 

silver threads more perceptible; the resolute mouth closed 
more firmly than ever. We sat near, and heard some 
passing words. The Secretary preserved profound silence 
and attention, as each one told his tale, or preferred his 
request; and then with studied brevity, in a low, determined 
voice, he uttered a few sentences, or may be syllables, that 
sealed the fate of the petitioner. At the close of one speech, 
more prolix than usual, delivered with trembling eagerness, 
the Secretary answered quietly, " Too late, sir, too late ! " The 
verdict was absolute — final. No appeal could be taken. The 
man walked slowly on with a heavy sigh or gasp, and drew 
his handkerchief over his damp brow and eyes. 

Mr. Stanton received us with marked courtesy. His reply 
to the invitation was so characteristic, concise and unanswer- 
able, that I give it verbatim : " Ladies, I thank you and 
those whom you represent, for the kind invitation to attend 
the great Sanitary Fair to be held in Chicago, and would 
be happy to accept it; but we are at war; I cannot leave 
my post. We are engaged in the same work of putting 
an end to the rebellion ; but my place is here, while yours is 
yonder." Like the pale man that preceded us, we offered no 
further plea, but wnth a kind farewell retired to make place 
for others, having learned by experience, that official inter- 
views must be brief and pointed, as minutes become hours, 
when a nation waits. The Secretary of War, in accordance 
with our request, gave an order for the captured rebel flags 
which ornamented the Hall of Arms and Trophies, at the last 
North-Western Sanitary Fair. 

We had the privilege, while in Washington, of making 
the acquaintance and presenting an invitation to the Fair, to 



410 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Admiral Farragut and his charming wife, worthy of her 
heroic husband. His modesty and naivete charmed us. He 
had the proverbial frankness of the sailor, and the bearing of 
a gentleman ; looked like a jovial, easy man, at peace with 
himself and all the world, rather than the old hero, braced 
to the mainyards in a tempest of iron hail and brimstone, 
roaring his orders through a trumpet, and directing the fierce, 
successive naval battles that reduced the coast and Gulf forts, 
and took possession of New Orleans.- He was the star at 
Washington at the time, and was hugely lionized, dined, 
tead, and toasted. His humility and childlike simplicity 
saved him from the baleful effects of adulation. Like Abra- 
ham Lincoln, he looked upon himself as the mere represent- 
ative of the triumph of the old flag, and in her name, and 
for her behoof, he received a grateful nation's plaudits. 
Li the course of a free and easy conversation, the Admiral 
made a remark that furnished the key to his successful life, 
and may supply a rule of action for the young and enter- 
prising. We spoke of the naval battles in the Gulf, of 
the huge obstacles to their success, of the prodigious valor 
developed, and the brilliant success of the campaign. He 
said : " I never undertake impossibihties, though some may 
call them so. I always expect to succeed, and always have, 
for that very reason. I never ask a man to do what he 
doubts his ability to perform. That doubt will entail a 
flulure. If he says, after a full, calm view of the situation, 
'it can be done, and I'll do it,' his success is pretty sure; 
but if he will only try, and do the best he can, and doubts 
the wisdom of the plan, I say he's not the man for the place. 
Confidence is necessary to victor^^ — enthusiasm and indomit- 



ADMIRAL FAERAGUT. 411 

able will may overcome almost superhuman obstacles." Such 
men become magnetic, concentrating and consolidating 
scattered forces, and, like Napoleon's military squares, pre- 
sent quadruple fronts to the enemy, and bear down all oppo- 
sition when they charge. The tenderness of the Admiral's 
heart was written in the lines of his mouth, wdiose womanly 
sweetness was redeemed by the firm clasp of lips, ready to 
be compressed at a moment's warning. He was a Virginian, 
and loved his State well; but the Union more. He told us 
he used every effort to induce Virginia to remain within the 
Union, and predicted the disaster that secession would pro- 
duce, but was rewarded for his pains by an order to leave 
Norfolk within two hours, which he used with his accustomed 
dispatch, bringing off, as he said, sixteen large trunks, con- 
taining all their valuables, and the four persons composing 
the family. His kindly nature gleamed out, as he said he 
had taken large numbers of his old friends and neiglibors 
prisoners, but always took good care to be out of the way 
when they surrendered, not wishing to add to their humilia- 
tion, which he had predicted to them, with earnest entreaties 
to forbear from the madness of secession, till they thought 
him crazy. Brave, good, honest man ! so full of power, and 
so wreathed with laurels, yet withal, preserving the modesty 
and simplicity of genius. 

"\Ve met during our visit to Washington, for the first time, 
tiie renowned President of our forthcoming Fair, Mnj.- 
Gen. Joseph Hooker. Like everybody else, w^e were 
much impressed with his stately presence and gallant bear- 
ing, and could appreciate the remark of our lamented Presi- 
dent, in our first interview with him, that Gen. Hooker 



412 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

was one of the most gallant officers of the Union army. He 
entered into our plans with enthusiasm, talked Fair to every- 
body, and gave us all the encouragement and assistance that 
his commanding position afforded. We shall have occasion 
to introduce him more fully in connection with the progress 
of the Fair, which he assured us he would attend, if he were 
carried thither on a litter from the battle-iield. 

Hon. Charles Sumner, and Chief-Justice Chase, with his 
accomplished daughter, Mrs. Sprague, proposed to visit the 
Fair, if possible. The sudden close of the war and the murder 
of the President, so changed the plans and scathed the hearts 
of public men, who were his staunch friends, that their 
intentions were unfulfilled. Hon. Charles Sumner enter- 
tained very favorably the proposition to deliver a lecture on 
the occasion, but felt in no humor for it, when his friend and 
Chief Magistrate had gone that way, to return no more for- 
ever. It will ever be a cause of deep regret, that the jSTorth- 
West lost the rare treat of a literarj'- production from so able a 
statesman, so ripe a scholar, and so eloquent an orator. Mr. 
Sumner seemed the great Alone at Washington — grand, 
gloomy, resolute — and when fully roused by the charge of 
holding back Louisiana from recognition, by dilatory motions, 
sublime, in his frank acknowledgments of his intentions, 
and self-justification on conscientious principles. 

Hon. L3niian Trumbull, of whom Illinois is so justly proud, 
and his patriotic wife, rendered us great assistance. We found 
Mrs. Trumbull's name the "open sesame" to every charmed 
circle. She wrought for the cause with a zeal worthy of her 
staunch husband, and the prairie State he so nobly represents. 
We met nothing but kindness and encouragement, and al- 



ANECDOTE OF THE PRESIDENT. 413 

tliougli the mighty events that intervened between our visit 
and the Fair curtailed the results of our mission, we had reason 
to know that not an inconsiderable portion of its success, under 
the adverse circumstances, was due to the publicity that it 
gained at the headquarters of the nation and in Eastern 
cities, and the substantial aid received in various ways from 
those directions. The U. S. Sanitary Commission, whose 
headquarters were at Washington, placed its manifold aids 
at our disposal. The General Secretary, John S. Blatch- 
ford, Esq., Rev. F. N. Ivnapp, and other officials, gave us 
every advantage and assistance in our work, and the near 
view of the breadth and activity of that organization, stimu- 
lated us to renewed efforts in its behalf. 

While in Washington we met Miss Peabody, a rare and 
gifted woman, who first introduced Kintgarten schools into 
the United States. Miss Peabody had visited the Presi- 
dent, and been completely won from vague dissatisfaction, 
to admiration and love. Her appreciative nature responded 
to the elevated character of this good man. Miss Peabody 
was introduced by her friend, Mr. Everett, as the sister- 
in-law of Hon. Horace Mann. Mr. Lincoln at once 
received her with marked cordiality, and entered into 
conversation which* dissolved every mist of prejudice, and 
revealed so sincere, discriminating, and magnanimous a 
character, that he thoroughly charmed her. The Presi- 
dent, when placed in contact with Eastern people, appeared 
even more a revelation, than to his Western constituents, 
who had longer known his worth and his simplicity. 
In speaking of the Hon. Horace Mann, Mr. Lincoln 
naively remarked, " I can never forget his reception of me 



414 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

when I first entered Congress. He was then a leader ; 
a man of much learning and wide reputation. I was an 
obscure young member, from a remote Western State ; shy, 
awkward, and unknown to fame. Nevertheless, he took me 
by the hand, helped me up, and stood behind me, when I 
needed backing." He added, in a deeply thoughtful tone, 
"But for his help I might not have been here to-day." On 
the pinnacle of human fame, Abraham Lincoln did not 
forget the band that helped him to mount, though it had 
long ago become stiff in death. His heart kept the record, 
his modesty believed it, and his big soul acknowledged and 
proclaimed it. 

I copy an extract from a letter written by Mrs. Livermore 
from "Washington, touching a marked specialty in the aspect 
of the city at the time — March, 1865. 

" I think I have before spoken of the great number of 
deserters from Lee's army constantly coming into Washington. 
The number is incredible. You meet them two or three 
times a day, under the escort of our soldiers — ragged, 
unkempt, almost bare-footed, and often bare-headed ; dirty, 
lean, wretched-looking fellows, but jubilant and sometimes 
hilarious. Fifteen hundred have come into Washino-ton in 

O 

less than ten da3\'', most of them bringing their arms with 
them. A negro, who was believed trustworthy, was sent out- 
side the lines with a six-mule team, to get a big load of wood. 
Having gone thus far, he seemed to think it worth while to 
venture a little farther, and so kept on towards 'Uncle Sam''s 
boys.' The rebel pickets saw him going, and rushed 
after him— our men saw him coming, and rushed towards 
him ; the ebony teamster whipped up his mules, shouted, 



THE NEGRO TEAMSTER THAT KAN INTO FREEDOM. 415 

hurrahed, and urged them on. Guns were fired on both 
sides, and there was great yelling and confusion for a few 
moments. The negro gained the day, and ran out of slavery 
into freedom. He was taken to the Quartermaster, who 
gave him several hundred dollars for his team ; and so he 
got his liberty and a good start. You hear anecdotes like 
this by the dozen. Lee's army is melting away rapidly, and 
to him every deserter is a total loss, for the Confederacy 
cannot replace him. Most of the deserters who come into 
our lines are unmarried men, or, if married, their families 
are in the North." 



416 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Last Fair. — Reception of regiments. — Reception of Gen. Grant and 
Sherman. — Geii. Sherman's speech. — Gov. Yates' recej^tiou of Gen. 
Grant. — Humorous incidents. 

I sfecALL be pardoned for special and somewhat detailed 
notice of the last, as well as the first, of the series of great 
Sanitary Fairs, for the following reasons : The prestige of the 
first was its primogeniture, which gave it special birthright 
privileges ; of the last, its faithfulness unto death, and its 
fulfilment of oft-repeated pledges to the soldiers, to work 
and minister, while one of them needed the help of the U. S, 
Sanitary Commission or Soldiers' Home. 

The inauguration of peace, and the rapid return to civil 
life of so large a portion of the army, during its progress, 
made the last Fair a benefit for the " Boys in Blue," in a 
double sense. It afforded the opportunity to twelve entire 
regiments, in addition to large numbers of discharged soldiers 
and prisoners, representing almost the whole Western army, 
to see and enjoy the enthusiastic efforts that had been made, 
and continued to the end of the war, for their benefit. As 
each regiment of brave fellows came home, God bless them ! 
with their brawn, bronze, and tatters, they were met in 



VETERANS MARCHING THROUGH UNION HALL. 417 

Chicago by a citizens' committee, appointed by the Bpard of 
Trade, who gave them a speech and a welcome. 

The Ladies of the Soldiers' Rest shrank not from the pro- 
digious labor of giving them warm, comfortable meals, 
sometimes to the number of thousands daily. The Fair also 
threw its doors wide open to receive them. Its executive 
chairman, T. B. Brj^an, Esq., or some other able speaker, in 
the absence of military heroes, bade them welcome. The 
patriot saleswomen and spectators joined in the clapping and 
weaving of handkerchiefs ; while the soldiers, accustomed to 
plough through mud or dust, up bluffs, in face of ball and 
rifle, or through swamps and rivers, sighting the enemy, 
marched through the broad aisles of the great bazaar, having 
three avenues, each three hundred and eighty-six feet long, 
filled with dazzling gifts from New York, Boston, Philadel- 
phia, California, England, the Continent, and Japan, besides 
the products of home taste and skilled labor. The air was 
filled with silk stars and stripes, fluttering in peace over the 
fair women at work beneath their folds, as though they were 
created for such gentle mission alone. The bewildered and 
delighted looks of the soldiers and their battered clothing, 
inspired the audience anew, and shouts and cheers rolled 
through the topmost arches of Union Hall. 

The pistol which Jeff Davis carried at the time of his 

capture, loaded and capped as he held it, was presented to 

the Michigan Department by Major Hudson, of the 4th 

Michigan Cavalry, who took the rebel leader prisoner. It 

was labelled in large letters, and hung in a conspicuous 

place. The soldiers enjoyed it above all other sights. They 

felt at home while looking at it, and remembering what tho 

27 



418 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

treason of the owner of the villainous little weapon had cost 
them. They were, for the most part, mute spectators of the 
brilliant scene, that seemed to stun them ; but here, their 
tongues were loosed, and with jeers and jests they slowly 
passed it, saying: '"Tis ours now; we have won and paid 
for it." 

The regiments were taken through Horticultural Hall to 
Jacob's Well, where they received a free treat of lemonade, 
which involved the manufacture of twelve thousand glasses 
of the delicious beverage. Sometimes a company was treated 
to ice-cream, too expensive a luxury to deal out to regi- 
ments, only because the proceeds were needed for sick and 
suffering soldiers. But the crowning view of the* returning 
horoes, was when they were met by their former leaders, 
Grant, Sherman arid Hooker. Then the enthusiasm became 
•overmastering. I had the privilege of standing beside these 
vvorld-renowned heroes when they received many of these 
regiments, and longed, alas ! in vain, for the power to repro- 
duce the scenes, in their sublimity and pathos. 

The aisles were packed with veterans, just as they had land- 
ed from the cars, to which they had marched from camps and 
battle-fields, where I had seen and known them. Their blue 
clothes were rusty — often ragged ; their hats torfi with bul- 
lets, the feathers shot off, or hanging down broken; their 
faces bronzed, their sinewy limbs and broad shoulders bear- 
ing arms and knapsacks. The glorious shreds of their once 
flaunting colors, were only scraps, or faded ribbons, but ah! 
how they talked ! As they were upheld and waved, deafen- 
ing shouts and yells of welcome greeted them, and not a dry 
eye looked upon them. Thej told of bloody work, and of 



GEIS". SHERMAN MEETING HIS OLD REGIMENTS. 4l9 

three liundred thousand, comrades that had gone out 
with them, left behind — buried all over rebel soil — their 
graves fringing the Mississippi and flanking Mission Eidge, 
Andersonville and Atlanta. The eyes of the brave men 
were as dim with tears as the spectators'. From the plat- 
form we could sec brown hands, for want of handkerchiefs, 
wiping them awaj. 

As Gen. Sherman was introduced to a regiment, by a gen- 
tleman of the citizens' committee, he said, with inimitable 
quaintness, " I am greatly obliged to the gentleman for intro- 
ducing me to the members of my own family." Shall I dare 
describe the roar of delight this simple utterance called forth ? 
It struck-the key-note of their souls, and produced such a tem- 
pest of enthusiasm, that the arches seemed to tremble. Hats 
flew up in raid-air ; the sea of upturned face^, with open 
mouths, became rigid with excitement ; the masses of soldiers 
swayed as the forest-trees in a gale, while tears coursed down 
their brown, manly cheeks. No wonder! 'Twas truly the 
father meeting his children in peace^ after a hhody war ; in a 
temple, raised by a grateful people for their benefit. They had 
stood with Grant, Sherman and Hooker, on whom they 
were looking, shoulder to shoulder, in the rifle-pits at Vicks- 
burg, on" the top of Lookout Mountain, and marched with 
their beloved commander from the Mississippi to the sea. 
They had together fought, braved danger, sufl'ered hardships, 
gained victories, defended the honor of the Flag, maintained 
our nationality, and destroyed slaver}^, and now, met their 
chieftains in peace, within sight of home and sound of their 
children's prattle and wives' joyful welcome ; and in the face 
of the loyal multitude, Sherman had called them his own 



420 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

fomiJy. .This master-stroke of eloquence inspired and melted 
every Leart. 

Another specialty of the last Fair, was the opportunity 
furnished to the North-West to give the first reception, aside 
from that at the National Capital, to the most renowned 
military leaders of the war. Had the Fair accomplished no 
other results than these, it would have amply repaid all the 
labor and outlay. So the North- West regards this outpour- 
ing of hosannas to her returning soldiers, especially as it 
was the only peace juhilee proclaimed and inaugurated. 

Not only did this last Fair become the triumphal arch of 
the returning heroes,' but memorable, as celebrating the last 
anniversary of the active existence of the U. S. Sanitary 
Commission, on the 9th of June, A.D. 18G5, when the Eev. 
Dr. Bellows,^ the father of Sanitary Commissions, honored 
it with his presence, acknowledged it as his offspring, and 
gave a sketch eloquent with facts, of its inception and results, 
in a thrilling speech, delivered in Union Hall, on that occa- 
sion. In addition to all these moral results, the substantial 
sum of a quarter of a million of dollars was placed in the 
treasuries of three great jDatriotic organizations, for the benefit 
of sick and wounded soldiers. 

In the early part of A.D. 1864, Hon. Mark Skinner, from 
impaired health, owing in great part to excessive labors and 
perplexing interruptions, consequent upon his responsible 
position in the Sanitary Commission, resigned his post as 
President of the North-Western Branch, to tlie deep regret 
of all with whom he was associated, and of the community 
at large, where he was so justly esteemed. He, however, 
retained a deep interest in the affairs of the Commission, and 



BUILDINGS OF LAST SANITARY FAIR. 421 

continued Lis connection with the Central Board of the 
Organization. 

Ezra B. McCagg, Esq., was unanimously elected President, 
to fill Judge Skinner's place. Mr. McCagg remained at his 
post, and ablj and fiiithfully fulfilled its varied and multi- 
form duties till the close of the commission, was its Presi- 
dent at the time of the Fair, and also held the office of Vice- 
President of its Executive Committee. 

Three weeks before the opening of the Fair, the original 
basis for the distribution of proceeds was changed, and it 
was resolved by the oSicers of the Sanitary Commission 
and Soldiers' Home, to give to the Christian Commission 
fifty thousand dollars of the net proceeds. The officers of 
the Fair, and the Chairmen of its various committees, who 
composed its Board at the close of the effort, resolved, after 
paying the sum above named to the Christian Commission, 
owing to the impei^ative necessity for a permanent Soldiers' 
Home, to divide the remainder of the net proceeds, equally, 
between the North- Western Branch of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission and the Soldiers'Home of Chicago ; and this 
arrangement was faithfully executed. 

The buildings of the last Sanitary Fair resembled those of 
Philadelphia more closely than any other of the series. 
Union Hall was a repetition of its stately prototype, except 
in length ; as the park in Chicago was smaller, the buildings 
were necessarily more scattered. The Hall of Arms and 
Trophies, under the management o^ Hon. James B. Bradwell, 
Chicago and the Art Grallery, occupied Bryan Hall, gener- 
ously placed at the disposal of the Fair by its Chairman, T. B. 
Bryan,Esq. Judge Bradwell succeeded in making the Trophy 



422 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Hall of the last Fair more attractive and significant than 
that of any other in the series of Fairs, It contained an array 
of relics, curiosities and trophies, arranged with such exqui- 
site taste and skill, that, although disconnected with the main 
buildings, it drew a constant crowd of spectators, and main- 
tained its popularity throughout the Fair. Horticultural Hall, 
in Chicago, took the place of Floral Hall in Philadelpha. In 
the latter city, in the midst of multiplied conservatories and 
affluent flower-gardens. Flora could hold her court, with 
suitable decorations. In the comparative absence of these 
charming results of the wealth and culture of older regions, 
only a landscape garden could be extemporized. Its rapid 
creation was admitted to be almost a miracle, and is so signif- 
icant of "Western* energy and })romptness, that I must be 
pardoned for giving the particulars of its construction. In 
the course of twelve days, the naked, macadamized thorough- 
fare on Michigan avenue, was transformed into a sylvan 
scene of such perfection, that it was difficult to conceive that 
months had not been occupied in its completion. The 
laborers, under the direction of Mr. John Blair, worked day 
and night, and, in this short space of time, the building was 
erected, pipes laid, lakelets formed, hills thrown up, walks 
gravelled, trees planted, banks sodded, a miniature Lookout 
Mountain reproduced, where Gen. Joseph Hooker, the Pres- 
ident of the Fair, stood, enfiladed by "fair" women, instead 
of the " Boys in Blue," Its apex commanded, on the east, a 
magnificent view of Lake Michigan, with its changeful but 
bewitching face, dotted with sails, and animated by propel- 
lers, steamers and tugs, and the marvellous railroad on piles, 
over which incessant trains whirled to and from the depot, 



UNION HALL. 423 

depositing their living burdens within sight of the Fair. 
Michigan avenue, stretching miles to the south, with its 
border of palaces, and trees in full verdure, its centre filled 
with equipages, and its broad sidewalks thronged with visitors 
to the Fair, presented a wonderful moving panorama. I will 
not detain the reader bj a prolix account of this jubilee, but 
will introduce a brief coup d'oeil of several departments, 
from the pen of Mr. Taylor, editor of the Chicago Evening 
Journal : 

"union hall. 

" Candor compels us to confess it is a herculean task to see 
the sights in all the departments of this emphatically great 
Fair. It is due to the truth of history to remark, that few 
really ever accomplish it. We cannot wonder that our 
friends from the city and country, who came in expecting 
'to do' the whole in a single daj^, become wofully dis- 
couraged, and conclude a week is too short a time to scan the 
endless variety in detail, and picture in memory the multi- 
form shapes of comeliness and diversified beaut}'. 

" With the vast crowd constantly surging down Washington 
street, you reach the entrance of ' Union Hal],' and glance 
down the vast arch swelling above, and the eye first catches 
on either side a long row of purple flags of uniform size, on 
which is emblazoned the coats-of-arms of every State, in 
amicable alliance, symbolical of returning peace and un- 
broken unity. 

"Below, are the long rows of gay booths, flanking the sides 
and occupying the centre. The thousand styles of decoration, 
the ingenious blending of the national colors into countless 



424 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

types of brilliant ornamentation, form a picture of gorgeous 
splendor and imposing magnificence. Red, White and Blue 
encircle all, envelop all, overhang all. Here they are fluted 
or wrought into panels, there woven into flowing shapes or 
spangled into stellar forms, and yonder looped into easy 
negllrje^ wreathed with garlands, and deftly woven into 
regal coronets. The effect is pleasing beyond expression, 
and the resultant harmony of the radiant trinity of blended 
colors, stirs in the heart feelings of patriotic pride. 

"But float along in the eddying current of humanity, and 
essay the critical examination of the myriad pretty, curious 
and useful articles, in succession, and soon the eye becomes 
wearied, and the brain tired. Every zone and clime have 
furnished souvenirs from their choicest treasures; every 
nation, its rare and curious products. Japan and China have 
sent fantastic oddities; Eome and Venice their classical me- 
morials; Berlin and Paris their exquisite finery ; and London 
and Liverpool their characteristic representatives. Shells 
from the dark taves of ocean ; stalactites from the caves, and 
minerals from the bowels of the earth, invite the scientific 
observer to linger still. Mechanical skill displays its mastety 
over matter, and shows how it can subjugate the forces 
of nature, and make them minister to the necessity, con- 
venience and comfort of man. In short, whatever the skill, 
ingenuity or research of man, or the taste of w^oman, could 
devise or gather up, all press their claims on the attention 
of the passer-by. What wonder, then, that long before the cir- 
cuit has been completed you tire, and long to rest your wearied 
limbs and cool your excited brain? From the centre of 
Union Hall go into the east wing, and, stopping to provide 



HORTICULTURAL HALL. 425 

yourself with the indispensable voice of the Fair, which for 
a paltry dime an angel in disguise (a disguise which foils 
to deceive the gallant purchaser) dispenses, enter the pre- 
cincts of 

HORTICULTURAL HALL, 

And turning to the right, ascend the steps, and a scene of 
enchanting loveliness greets the eye. Imagine Central Park 
epitomized and intensified, and you have the hall. It is four 
hundred feet long, sixty wide, and forty high, and lighted 
by windows of stained glass, which mellow the ' garish light 
of day.' The entire circumference is fringed with cedars, 
deciduous trees are scattered here and there, and interspersed 
among them, all varieties of evergreen found on the eastern 
continent. The remaining space is artistically laid out into 
meadows, lawns, ponds, flower-plats, and broad gravelled 
walks. At the south extremity, we are informed, is a neat 
apartment, containing a choice and extensive assortment of 
flowers, vases, and horticultural tools. Over and around 
this rises 'Point Lookout,' which is reached by a winding 
staircase. The upper part is gayly festooned with the na- 
tional tri-color, while farther down the green turf is seen, 
and dwarf spruces climb ambitious upwards. Amidst these, 
a clear spring babbles fresh from its pebbly source, dances 
gayly on and laughs down the rocky steeps, forming a min- 
iature cascade. Flowing northward, it winds among grassy 
meads, washes the shores of petite islets, is arched by rural 
bridges, coquets with the bending flowers which mirror 
themselves in its bosom, and, replenished by the waters of a 
dozen fountains, glides on and disappears from sight. Is'ear 



426 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

the cascade is a dainty park, from which two fawns gaze 
out in mute astonishment and admiration. Hard by is an 
antelope, and four eagles perched proudly on their favorite 
points of observation. 

" To the northward is a lakelet, fed by half a dozen foun- 
tains, whence the waters fall w^ith ever-varjnng musical 
cadence, and, in pearly drops, haste to hide themselves in 
the dimpled lake, or, shivered into impalpable mist, seek 
companionship with their flowery neighbors, drawn by na- 
ture's great law of affinity. In graceful pose, the statuary 
quartette, ' The Seasons,' stand smiling by, and from the ad- 
jacent shrubbery, charming statues peep slyly forth. Beyond 
the fountains, the flowers cluster lovingly together, as if in 
reciprocal congratulation at their rare good fortune, in being 
permitted to offer their fragrant incense on this altar of 
humanity and philanthropy. 

"From all lands these trees and flowers have come, to 
beautify and adorn this shrine of patriotic devotion. In 
generous rivalry, they vie with each other, in adding to the 
attractions of this charming spot. The pine from Scotland 
and Austria, and the spruce from jSTorway, contend for the 
palm of excellence with the evergreens indigenous to the 
American soil. Charmed by the dulcet notes of Freedom's 
voice, the heya camosa and colleus, from the West Indies ; the 
blooming cactus from Central America ; the nodding fuschia, 
the golden arbutelon, and the spreading begonia, from South 
America; the patient century -plant, from Mexico; theTVash- 
ingtonia gigantea, from California ; the eunymus and alban 
camelia, from Japan; the eugenia, from China; the delicate 
acacia, from Australia ; the queenly oleander, from Florida ; 



Jacob's well at the faie. 427 

the Ethiopian colla, the Syrian myrtle and Grecian laurel ; 
all and hundreds more have hastened hither, displaying their 
richest hues, and perfuming the air with their fragrant 
breath, to unite with our own splendid flora, in sending up 
their glad tribute of thanksgiving, that the foulest stain 
which ever disgraced our escutcheon is washed away, and to 
join in a tender message of sympathy to the scarred and suf- 
fering heroes, who consecrated themselves a votive- oflering 
on Columbia's altar, and infused into her blue veins the 
crimson tide from their loyal hearts. From cages here and 
there pendant, the mellifluous Florida red-bird sends out a 
gushing stream of melody, the versatile mocking-bird echoes 
the melody, and the plumed orchestra catch up the inspiring 
theme, and the hall resounds with their choral songs. Scat- 
tered around are rustic seats and arbors ; tiny ships float 
lazily on the lakelet's placid surface ; in crystal aquarioe, 
fishes sport in glee, and display the golden sheen of their 
finny sides. 

" But in surveying the surrounding scene, we have not 
failed to notice with peculiar admiration, the cunning arbor, 
where crowds are hastening to drink from 

Jacob's well, 

But with epicurean taste we have reserved the most delicious 
to the last. 

"Surrounded by cedars of Lebanon and the fir-trees of 
Bashan, in a cool grotto, stands queenly Rebecca and her 
fair attendants, and the pious Jacob, clad in the quaint cos- 
tume of the orientals. Timidly we approach tiie cooling 
fountain, for our tender susceptibilities warn us of coming 



428 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

danger, and soon claim the attention of the divinity pre- 
siding there. Beautiful Rebecca! charming Miriam! what 
words can portray the courtesy and winning grace with 
wdiich you presented the goblet filled to the brim with nectar 
fit for the Olympian gods ? 

" Bask in this sunshine of life, child, youth, and maturer 
age, for we cultivate too little our love for the beautiful in 
nature and art. Your hearts will be purified by these asso- 
ciations, your souls enlarged and strengthened in goodness, 
and you better fitted for life — and the Life beyond. Eeturn 
often to this enchanted land, for your eyes can never behold 
its like again till Eden dawns on your sight." 

It is not surprising that one of the soldiers who had fol- 
lowed Gen. Hooker to the top of the mimic mountain, and 
surveyed the scene of life and beauty beneath, when asked 
if this reminded him of its namesake in Tennessee, replied, 
"Not much. It's thunderin' handsome, but it don't look, 
nor I don't feel like I did, when I got to the top of that big 
hill down South, and found old Joe there, dust}- and panting 
like the rest of us." 

I shall be pardoned for introducing, at this juncture, a 
sketch of the battle of " Mission Eidge," the Peivates' 
Victory, that immediately succeeded that of Lookout 
Mountain, here referred to. "When Gen. Grant took com- 
mand of the " Army of the Mississippi," he found Rosecrans 
and his forces shut up in Chattanooga, sixty miles from 
their base of supplies, and Bragg so confident of success, ' 
that he had sent off" Longstreet, to drive Burnside from 
Knoxville. Plans for the relief of Chattanooga were rapidl}' 



THE TRIVATES VICTORY. 429 

made and effectively executed, by Gen. Grant and his able 
coadjutors, Thomas, Sherman and Hooker., At the period 
of which I write, Hooker had scaled the heights of 
" Lookout," and in Jove's dominion, fought his fiimous 
battle above the clouds, whence he descended to thunder 
on the rebel flank, while Gen. Sherman pressed his weary, 
foot-sore, bleeding columns on the enemy's flank and rear, 
his battalions swaying and lessening at every foot of the 
terrible advance. 

All this while, .three divisions of the "Army of the Cum- 
berland," in front of the rebel centre, lay crouching, silent, 
resolute ; awaiting the signal-gun, to spring upon the foe. 
At four o'clock p.m. it sounded. One — two — three — four. 
As iis echoes died in the distance, as if unearthed by the 
shock, up rose the blue lines of the "Heroes of the Eank 
and File." They pressed on, over a hundred and fifty yards 
of broken ground, in the face of cracking rifle and blazing 
artillery, to the base of the Eidge, four hundred feet in 
height. 

Onward ! still onward they ploughed their bloody way ; 
their zeal and bravery waited not for the word of command. 
Each man earned a marshal's baton, and in his sublime con- 
secration became so individual, that orders icere given in 
accordance ivith the action of the troojjs that had outrun 
their leaders As their ranks were thinned, and their 
banners planted, one by one, in the midst of smoke, blood, 
and thunder, even the self-contained Thomas exclaimed, 
" General, I fear they v/ill never reach the top." " Give 
'em time. General, give 'em time," said Grant. 

The brave fellows tooh tlieir time to bleed, and die, and 



430 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

conquer ; and when the sun closed his eyes that night on the 
bloody steeps, hke the "roar of many waters," shouts of 
victory reached the ears of comrades and commanders. The 
"PEivATEs' victory" was won — they unfurled the "Old 
Flag " from the battlements of Mission Ridge. Bragg was 
in full retreat, and 7,000 prisoners and forty-seven j)ieces of 
artillery were the tangible results of the victory. The 
" Boys in Blue and Heroes of the Rank and File " were 
vindicated, and may justly claim one of the most hotly con- 
tested and triumphant .battles of the war, ^s their own. 

Amid other attractions of the Fair, I must not omit 
to mention the historical bird, the famous Wisconsin Eagle, 
"Old Abe," that earned $15,000 for the Fair, by his 
persistent patriotism. He was taken from his nest in 
Chippewa county, Wisconsin, by a Chippewa Indian, and 
presented to Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, by 
a gentleman who purchased him. When this regiment 
marched into Camp Randall, he spread his wings, seiz- 
ing a small flag on his perch, and remained in that position 
till removed to other quarters. When the regiment cheered, 
he never failed to rise, but to the cheers of any other regi- 
ment he paid no heed. He had been in all its battles, 
as much exposed as the men. At the battle of Farming- 
ton, the Eighth Wisconsin was ordered to lie down, and 
he could not be kept on his perch. He was liberated, 
and at once lay flat on the ground ; but when the men 
arose, he resumed his place of danger, and occupied it 
till the close of the battle. The rebel Gen. Price coveted 
him, and ordered his men to capture him, if possible; saying, 
he would rather have that bird, than the whole brigade. 



THE COLOR-SERGEANT OF THE 127™ ILL. VOLS. 431 

He escaped all snares, returned with the victorious regi- 
ments to their Wisconsin homes, and like them rested on his 
laurels, in apartments expressly fitted up for him in 'the State 
House Park at Madison. Gov. Lewis gave permission for 
him to be exhibited at the Fair, and he occupied a conspicu- 
ous booth. Bj the ingenuity and energy of Mr. Sewall, of 
Chicago,- from his exhibition and the sale of his photographs, 
the enormous sum above named was realized. 

An autograph of President Lincoln, exhibited at the Fair, 
wonderfully chariicteristic of the man and his principles, de- 
serves a place here. It was sent to a lady of §t. Louis in 
answer to a request for his autograph. 

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this' 
mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away ; yet if it 
be God's will that it should continue until all the wealth 
piled up by the bondman's 250 years of unrequited labor 
shall be sunk, and every drop of blood drawn by the lash 
shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said 
3,000 years ago, so still it must be said, "The judgments 
of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." 

So many thrilling incidents occurred at the Fair, that it is 
difficult to make a selection, but the touching narration of 
the entrance of one of the battered heroes, for whom all this 
work was done, seems peculiarly appropriate to this volume. 
^Ve would ask Mr. Taylor again to speak for us : 

" This morning a strange procession moved through the 
brilliant halls of the Fair. The gay throngs parted silently 
as it came, the laugh subsided, and the smile faded out. It 
was a triumphal procession, without marshal or baton. 
Slowly, like a dark-colored thread drawn through a bright 



432 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

warp, it passed on. And this procession had the freedom of 
the city. Not the Governor when he came, headed by 
drum and busfle, had a better rig-ht to enter there. Four 
soldiers, bearing a stretcher; upon it a wounded soldier, with 
a flag for a covering. And the soldier so taking his rest, 
was the color-sergeant of the 127th Illinois Regiment, and 
those hands of his, so feeble now, grasped the staff, as the 
eagle grasps the arrows, and planted the banner on the ram- 
part, at the capture of Arkansas Post. 

" And this man would see the halls the grateful land had 
built for lys comrades and for him. Not for the pomp and 
circumstance of the big wars ; not for pride or power, but 
for just this man, pale, silent, suffering, and for the thousands 
like him, is all this pageantry. Do you wonder there was a 
lighting up of his anxious eye? AVas it a flash of sun with- 
out, or tiie light of a grateful thought dawning ? 
■*■ "Oflicers of the Commissions, noble President of the 
Fair, Chairmen of the Departments, true and earnest women, 
faithful as the Mary at cross and grave ; bright, fair young 
girls, giving your days to unremitted toil, givers of the gifts 
around the world, you have robbed the angels of their mis- 
sion ! " 

The foreign contributions to the Fair were hailed as grati- 
fying omens of the sympathy of the masses over the water, 
with us in our struggles for the principles of universal freedom. 
Hon. N. B. Judd, our resident minister at the court of Berlin, 
and his patriotic wife, labored incessantly, and sent boxes filled 
with articles of vertu and needlework, of wondrous skill 
and beauty. These, with all other foreign contributions, and 
the California donations, as well as those from New York, 



DENOMINATIONAL FEATURE OF THE FAIR. 433 

were artistically and tastefully arranged in booths, under the 
direction of Hon. Charles L. "Wilson, former Secretary of 
Legation at the Court of St. James. Mr. James McHenry, 
of London, in addition to a donation of $5,000 to the U. S. 
Sanitary Commission, sent to the Fair a lady's dressing-case, 
costing $1,000. It was so adroitly managed by Mr. Wil- 
son, that it netted to the treasury $3,000, and was eventually 
voted to Miss Anna L. Wilson, niece of the chairman of the 
department, and daughter of John L. Wilson of the Even- 
ing Journal. 

The denominational feature of this last great enterprise 
was unique and entirely successful. The clergy of all denom- 
inations entered heartily into this effort. The Eev. W. W. 
Patton, D.D., Vice-President of the branch of the Sanitary 
Commission at Chicago, was Chairman of the Congregational 
Department, and with his wife contributed largel}'' to its 
success; Dr.'Z. M. Humphrey and wife labored and stimu- 
lated to the utmost, the zeal of the Presbyterians ; Eev. Clin- 
ton Locke and wife, the Episcopal Department ; Rev. Robert 
Collyer, the Unitarian ; Dr. T. M. Eddy and wife, and Dr. 
Tiffany and wife, the Methodist; Rev. E. B. Tuttle and wife, 
the Universalist ; and Bishop Duggan, with Mrs. Gen. Sher- 
man and Mrs. Judge Arrington, as aids, made the Roman 
Catholic Department a complete success. This happy result 
proved, that on the broad platform of humanity and pa- 
triotism, all denominations could unite, to testify their grati- 
tude to God and their brave deliverers. Iowa, Michigan, 
Minnesota and Philadelphia, had handsome and remunerative 
departments, managed and controlled by their able representa- 
tives, who accompanied the donations. 

2S 



434 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

As I have said, the most salient point in this great exhibi- 
tion, was the reception of the returning regiments and tlieir 
leaders, Grant, Sherman and Hooker. These military men 
lire so widely renowned, and have so ineffiiceably written 
their record on the hearts of the people, by their bril- 
liant campaigns and triumphant successes, that nothing 
remains to the historian, but a simple narration of flicts. The 
spontaneous and overwhelming ovation, given to them at the 
last Sanitary Fair, opened by tumultuous applause and en- 
thusiasm, when Mayor Eice introduced Gen. Sherman in an 
emphatic and happy manner, and a poem, written by Judge 
Arrington, was pronounced by Hon. George C. Bates, in 
his graceful style. 

Gen. Sherman's brief, terse and direct sj^eech on this 
occasion, harmonizes so entirely with the character and scope 
of this volume, and is so confirmatory of the status claimed 
in it, for the " rank and file " of the army, that I shall 
introduce a portion of it. 

Gen. Sherman spoke as follows: 

" I thank you, sir, for the kind welcome you have given, 
me to-day, and to the gentleman who read the poem, I also 
tender my thanks. I can hardly hope that my voice will 
reach yon recess, and if those. who are near me can only 
hear the few words I propose to address to you, it is all I 
ask. I am not a ihan of words, and deeds can only be re- 
corded by others, not by the actors themselves ; for we see 
not the scenes remote ; we see not what occurs behind us, 
but simply the limited space in front of our eyes. I have 
been far away from you, but my feelings have been here 
quite as much as though my body had been within the limits 



GRANT AND SHERMAN's RECEPTION AT THE FAIR. 435 

of Chicago. My sphere of action lay away off in the South. 
/ had ivitli me your IrotJiers and your sons, and I never want 
any better lackers in anything. [Applause, long continued, and 
voices, " Hurrah for Sherman ! " " Didn't they do it ! " etc.] I 
can recall among those backers, men of Chicago, armed with 
stronger arguments than mere words or letters — armed with 
the twenty-pounder and the twelve-pounder, which speak in 
language which cannot be mistaken ; the only voice with 
which men arrayed in arms against us are to be addressed, 
and the only means man can use when reason loses its sway, 
to convince. Now, all is peace from here to the Gulf, and 
you, gentlemen, know better than I can tell, what your duties 
have become," etc., etc. 

Long-continued cheers concluded the reception, and the 
General could onl}' shake a modicum of the eager hands 
stretched towards him, when he slowly wound his way to 
Jacob's Well, and paid his respects to the "Old Folks at the 
Farm-house." A few days afterwards, Gen. Grant was re- 
ceived by a vast audience of at least 10,000 people, who 
packed Union HaU. His advent was announced by the 
salute of 100 cannon, fired by the Chicago Light Artillery. 
Escorted by Gen. Hooker, the honorary President (ff the Fair, 
and other distinguished men, he entered the north door, and 
was instantly greeted by the chorus, " Red, White, and Blue," 
sung by a select choir. .Their voices were drowned by the 
shouts of the multitude, whose enthusiasm amounted almost 
to insanity. The interior of the long line of booths in the 
centre and on either side of the magnificent hall, was filled 
with ladies, whose waving handkerchiefs and beaming eyes 
told the story of womanly patriotism. Gen. Lfooker, in his 



436 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

happiest manner, introduced Gen. Grant, and, as he said, 
" turned him over to the people." 

GENERAL GRANT 

Then stepped forward, and was again received with thunder- 
ing applause. At the first lull, he said, " Gentlerflen and 
ladies, as I never made a speech myself, I will ask Gov. 
Yates, of Illinois, to return the thanks which I should fail 
to express." Gov. Yates' si^eech is so glowing, brief and 
historical, that I present it, verbatim. He said : 

"This is indeed an unexpected duty on my part. 
Gen. Grant has devolved upon me the duty of returning 
to the citizens of Chicago, his thanks for the splendid re- 
ception they have given him on this occasion. Fellow- 
citizens, while I feel illy-prepared for this dut}^, yet I 
conceive it to be the most precious moment of my life, 
that I should have the honor of replying in the name 
of this most distinguished citizen, to the people of Chi- 
cago, to the people of the State of Illinois. Some four 
years ago, as you will see in a paper published in the city 
of Vicksburg, it was then and there announced, that a cer- 
tain Capt?iin Grant had made a report to the Governor of 
Illinois, of the number of arms that the State of Illinois had 
at that time, and that Captain Grant, as the paper read, had 
reported that the State of Illinois h-ad 900 rusty muskets, for 
the defense of the Government of the United States. But, 
fellow-citizens, before two years had elapsed, that same Cap- 
tain Grant stood under the tent of Gen. Pemberton, smoking 
his cigar, while the glorious stars and stripes waved over the 
battlements of Vicksburg. And, fellow-citizens, we have 



GOV. YATES' SPEECH FOR GEN. GRANT. 437 

followed him from that day to this : at Donelson, at Bel- 
mont, at Shiloh, at Pittsburg, through the Wilderness, at 
Eichmond, Lee's surrender; until, all along the banks of our 
rivers, along the ocean coast, from house-top to steeple, floats 
to-day, in proud, unsullied splendor, our ever-glorious, star- 
spangled banner. (Great cheering.) 

"Fellow-citizens, I have often said, that you must allow 
me the honor of having commissioned Ulysses S. Grant. I 
did not know that the gentleman was so great a man then, 
or I might have been a little . more complimentary. Now 
his name, crowned with garlands, and wreaths of shining 
victories upon more than a hundred battle-fields, proclaiipi 
him the delight of this country and the world ; and, next to 
the noble Lincoln, he is now the choice and the honor of 
the nation. And, fellow-citizens, I am here to-day to say, 
that the proudest reflection that thrills the heart of this brave 
soldier and General is, that we have gloriously triumphed, 
that our nation is preserved, that our Govern^ient has been 
maintained, and that we have our free institutions, for us and 
our posterity forever." (Great applause.) 

GENERAL SHERMAN, 

Being loudly called for, stepped forward and said : " Ladies 
and gentlemen, I am here to-day to listen ; I am not going 
to make any speech whatever. Always ready, always will- 
ing, always proud, I was willing to do anything that the 
Lieutenant-General asked me to do, and I know he never 
asked me to make a speech." (Cheers and laughter.) 

Gen. Grant — "I never asked a soldier to dg anything I 
could not do myself" (Eenewed laughter.) 



438 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

"Eally Eound the Flag" was then sung by the choir, the 
vast audience joining in the chorus. 

Mrs. Grant was called for, and came forward amid cheer- 
ing and waving of handkerchiefs. Mrs. Sherman was also 
received with the same hearty tokens of welcome and favor. 

A w\ng called for Mrs. Hooker, and the arches rang with 
echoes of the calL Gen. Hooker stepped forward, and with 
his gallant air, said: "I am greatly indebted to the interest 
you manifest in Mrs. Hooker. When I came here I hoped 
to bring her to respond in person to join compliments." As 
the General had not at the time bound himself with h^^meneal 
chains, in which he now glories, his facetious reply added 
much to the hilarity of the occasion, which can never be 
forgotten by any who took part in or witnessed it. 

In grandeur and beauty, the Fair surpassed all expecta- 
tion, gave universal and unlimited satisfaction, and the net 
proceeds amounted to a quarter of a million of dollars — 
a larger amount for the time and circumstances, than 
a million would have been six months earlier. The great 
obstacles that had been overcome, had increased the triumph 
and enjoyment of the Fair, and made the patient laborers in 
its behalf, more willing to continue to bear its heavy bur- 
dens. Each successive night its brilliant halls were crowded 
with a delighted, grateful people. All places of amusement 
were deserted, in favor of its superior attractions. Even 
Grau, with his fine opera troupe, at the peerless opera- 
house, failed to draw an audience. Theatricals, concerts, 
etc., etc., drooped with deserted halls and empty coffers. 
At the dazzling Fair were found, old and young, grave and 
gay, clergymen, professors, senators lawyers merchants, 



GREAT POPULAEITY OF THE FAIR. 439 

employees, blue coats and brass buttons, eagles and stars, 
sober matrons, bevies of fair young girls,* troops of joyous 
children, with dancing eyes and rosy cheeks. Here the 
J^orth-Wcst had met twelve regiments, coming home, to be 
mustered out after bloody work — conquerors, covered with 
laurels — some maimed, some worn, but all jubilant. Here 
the people had welcomed Grant, Sherman and Hooker, and 
heard and seen them moving in the midst of their troops, 
giving and receiving congratulations. 

But what shall we say of the "Fair women"? "What 
Abraham Lincoln said, "God bless the women of America! " 
This, however, was not exclusively a woman's Fair. Leading 
professional and business men, in all departments, worked 
shoulder to shoulder, and became beggars in its behalf. 
Editors and reporters worked day and night, and did their 
best. Stil], after all, men said, "Women were at the begin- 
ning, and the middle, and the end of it; and but for them, the 
Fair had never been." 'Twas true ; they worked months 
beforehand, and during its continuance. By their magnet- 
ism and enthusiasm, they brought the crowds and kept 
them there. Had Chicago been under Koman rule, its men 
would have earned the freedom of the city, by the meek 
submission with which they transferred their household gods 
to the temple of liberty on Dearborn Park or Bryan Hall, 
and stood or sauntered round, seemingly enjoying home 
desolation at a distance; for "where the gods do congregate 
are found their worshippers." Wives drew husbands and 
children; youth and beauty, their devotees. Even quaint 
bacnelors were swept in the current, and lost hearts they 
had failed to insure. 



440 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

But the fairest flowers fade soonest, and the rarest earthly 
bliss is the most fleeting. The end drew nigh. The Fair's 
days were numbered — the beautiful creation must go the way 
of all the earth, and sad hearts said, Farewell ! The booths 
were dismantled, partitions removed, but the banners and 
decorations retained. Long tables were erected, and an ele- 
gant free dinner proclaimed for all the soldiers luithin bugle call, 
given by the Fair as part of the celebration of the memorable 
4th of July, 1865 — the anniversary of an Emancipated as 
well as an Independent people ; and also Jhe annual celebra- 
tion of the fall of Vicksburg. On a huge inclined platform 
scores of organs were placed, manipulated by skilful per- 
formers, and fifteen hundred trained singers, all under the 
charge of the world-renowned Balatka. An audience of ten 
thousand _, enthusiastic people joined in the choruses, and 
made such a volume of patriotic music, as has not been heard 
before nor since. The Hon. Henry Winter Davis, on that 
sublime occasion, pronounced a thrilling oration, that he 
might not have altered, had he divined he would so soon be 
summoned where actions and utterances must be met. A 
Marylander by birth and education, he indorsed liberty for 
the captive, and todk his first public position on equal suf- 
frage, which brought forth a thundering response, that made 
the arches that had echoed hosannas to Grant, Sherman and 
Hooker, tremble as of yore. 

In conclusion, I would say, that the names of indefatigable 
workers in the Fair, were legion ; and so uniform and surjoass- 
ing ivas their faithfulness, selections would be invidious. 
The name, however, of Thomas B. Bryan, Esq., acting 
President of the Fair, may be mentioned, without fear of 



MR, m'cagg's statement. 441 

jealousy or rivalry. The innumerable perplexities conse- 
quent on the position held by him, were greater than in»any 
of its forerunners ; owing to the undertone of opposition, 
f on the ground of alleged needlessness. Even this current 
ceased to flow under his genial influence, and as the Fair pro- 
gressed, the shifting sands became granite, and the edifice fell 
not ; for it was founded on the rock of humanity and 
patriotism. 

The following published statement, from the pen of Mr. 
E. B. McCagg, President of the Branch at Chicago, is so 
pertinent, and withal so satisfactory, as a record of some' 
of the last work of the Commission, and an answer 
to the questions, " What is done and what will be done 
with the money raised from the Fair ? " that we insert it 
entire: 

" From the middle of April last, the work of this branch 
of the Sanitary Commission has been dependent on moneys 
received on account of the Fair, for its efficiency. At that 
date, its treasury became empty, and since then the larger 
portion* of its receipts have been on Fair account. About 
$12,000 were expended in the latter part of May, in aid of 
returned prisoners from Andersonville, at Yicksburg, besides 
keeping up the ordinary work of the branches ; and there is 
now in this city, a Chaplain from Fort Smith, Arkansas, 
with well-authenticated statements of present suffering 
among families of Union soldiers, themselves sufficiently 
heart-rending, to make one wish the entire receipts of the 
Fair might be sent to that storm-driven State. This branch 
of the Commission has sent off, on an average, a car-load of 



4i2 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

supplies every three days, and the demand has not jet in 
any way lessened. 

"E. B. McCagg, President:' 

The establishment of peace and the disbandment of the 
Union armies, was followed, in the course of a few months, 
by the evacuation of hospitals, thus ending the supply work 
of the Commission, and releasing the workers in that depart- 
ment. With its termination, came the close of our army 
trips, visits to aid societies, and sanitary work in various 
forms. I have endeavored, by the narration of our army and 
sanitary experience, to give a fliint picture of the heroism of 
the "rank and file" of the armj^, in hospital and in the field, 
and of the sacrifice and suffering of the women at home. 
The volume is necessarily discursive, as scenes, individual 
sketches, and the work of various organizations, are por- 
trayed, as they fall in by the way, and naturally become 
part of the narrative. My aim has been, to make the general 
effect and scope of the work, a unit, designated by the title. 
Its record belongs to the private soldiers. On their account, 
in their behalf, inspired by their bravery and endurance, 
Sanitary and Christian Commissions, Sanitary Fairs, and the 
entire round of patriotic efforts, were made and rendered 
successful. 

Glorious as has been the record of the military leaders, 
in the words of Gen. Sherman, " the ' Boys ' have put 
on their shoulder-straps." Triumphant and resplendent 
as are the stripes and stars, second only to the blue and 
starry heavens in beauty and significance, but for the brave 
volunteers, these honorable emblems would still be trail- 



^ 



AN ArPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE " BOYS IN BLUE." 443 

ing in the dust, not floating proudly from every fortress and 
every State capitol, from Maine to Texas, from the Atlan- 
tic to the Pacific. God bless the " Boys in Blue, and the 
Heroes of the Eank and File"! Let not the nation 

SAY TO THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN, " Be YE WARMED AND 
FILLED," BUT LET EVERY INDIVIDUAL, EVERY StATE, AND 

THE General Government, unite to pay their just 

DEBT to the nation's CREDITORS — THE WORLD'S WON- 
DER — THE RETURNED, VICTORIOUS ARMIES OF THE UnION! 



444 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

Mr. Howe's enlistment. — Raising a county regiment.— Speech at the 
meeting to raise recruits. — Enlistment of his coachman in same 
regiment. — He is made Postmaster of the regiment. — Advances 
money to pay regiment for two months. — His illness. — Return 
home to work for the boys. 

I HAVE stated in the first chapter of this volume that the 
ranks of the Union army contained men of the highest posi- 
tion and worth. The following remarkable story, from the 
pen of James Parton, is most generously placed at my dis- 
posal, by Robert Bonner, editor of the New York Ledger, and 
is a powerful confirmation of the elevated character and 
exalted patriotism of some who entered the ranks of the 
Union army to battle for the right. We grant this case had 
few parallels, as regards wealth. Not a few, however, ap- 
proached and equalled it in patriotism and self-abnegation. 

A MILLIONAIRE IN THE RANKS. 

BT JAMES PARTON. 

No army, I suppose, ever contained such a variety of 
characters and conditions as that of the United States during 
the late war. There were men in it of almost every race 
and color ; men of every i-ank — from French princes lineally 
descended from Henry IV. to the plantation slave ; men of 
every degree of moral worth and unworthiness — from the 



MR. howe's enlistment. 445 

patriot-hero giving his life for his country to the plundering 
" bounty-jumper " who has since found a suitable honae in a 
State prison. Among other characters, the strangest, per- 
haps, was a- private soldier who possessed an income of 
$200,000 a year. Upon the staffs of major-generals, and at 
the head of regiments, there were several millionaires and 
sons of millionaires ; but the gentleman of whom we speak, 
Ehas Howe, Jr., the inventor of the sewing-machine- 
served in the mnhs of the 17th Connecticut, and refused 
every offer of a commission, alleging as a reason that 
he was ignorant 9f military affairs and could render no 
effective. service to his country except as a private. Having 
had occasion recently to gaiher information respecting the 
origin and progress of the sewing-machine, I heard the story 
of Mr. Howe's enlistment and service from the officers of 
his regiment, and now avail myself of the inventor's 
absence from the country to repeat it to the readers of the 
Ledger. 

He enlisted in July, 1862, the second year of the war. 
The country, as we all remember, had put forth prodigious 
efforts to repair the calamity of Bull Eun. An immense 
army had been assembled on the banks of the Potomac, 
which, after a long winter spent in organizing and drilling 
it, had been swiftly conveyed to Virginia and successfully 
landed near Yorktown. That proved to be the end of its 
success. Stopped for a month at Yorktown, until Kichmond 
was ready to withstand it, that mighty host of devoted men 
came within sight of the steeples of the Confederate capital, 
whence, after a succession of mishaps, reverses and defeats, 
it was driven back to the James, and was soon after ordered 



446 THE BOYS m BLUE. 

back to its old position on the Potomac. Nothing in the 
history of the war seems to me so remarkable as the high 
spirit and unshaken resolution of the people after disasters 
so terrible, so unexpected, and so peculiarly calculated to 
dishearten a nation unused to war. 

It was July, 1862. The army was still on the James, 
protected by the gunboats of the navy. A new levy of 
troops was ordered. Until this time men had not hung 
back, and new regiments bad come in about as fast as they 
could be equipped. But in July of this year, when the 
ripening harvest called farmers to their fields, and the tidings 
of defeat gave pause to those inclined to enlist, the forming 
regiments filled slowly, and there were vague rumors in the 
air of a possible draft. Then it was that it occurred to some 
gentlemen of Bridgeport, Connecticut, to raise a county regi- 
ment, the several companies of which should be composed 
of friends and neighbors. It was an excellent and fruitful 
thought. The sanction of Governor Buckingham was ob- 
tained, and a public meeting was called for July 17, to 
begin the work. 

The public anxiety, as well as the patriotism of the people 
of Bridgeport, caused this to be one of the largest and most 
earnest ever held in the town. Mr. Howe attended it, and 
sat upon the platform as one of the vice-presidents. When 
the meeting had been organized, it was addressed by several 
speakers, who raised the enthusiasm of the crowd to the 
highest point. Money was liberally subscribed for the ex- 
penses of the proposed regiment — Messrs. Wheeler & Wilson 
heading the list with five thousand dollars, and Elias Howe 
following with one thousand. The whole sum raised was 



MR. HOWE'S SPEECH WHEN HE ENLISTED. 447 

twenty-five thousand dollars. This was encouraging, and it 
was then to be seen liow the citizens of Bridgeport would 
respond to the call for services more perilQUS and more ne- 
cessary than the subscribing of money. 

When the time came for inviting men to enlist, Mr. Howe 
—to the astonishment of his friends, for he had never before 
addressed a public meeting— rose to his feet, and spoke * 
somewhat as follows: 

" At such a time as this every man is called upon to do 
what he can for his country. I don't know what I can do 
unless it is to enlist and serve as a private in the Union 
army. I want no position. In fact, I know nothing of 
military matters ; but I am willing to learn, and to do what 
I can with a musket. At any rate, I mean to go. I have 
in my hand a piece of paper for the names of those who wish 
to enlist to-night, and my name is at the head of it." 

"With these words he laid the paper upon the chairman's 
table. The excitement produced by this announcement can 
neither be imagined nor described. Mr. Howe was known 
to every person present as one of the wealthiest men in the 
State, whose residence at Iranistan was as pleasant and 
attractive a scene as could anywhere be found ; and to ex- 
change this for the privations of a camp seemed to the 
audience, as it was^ a most remarkable evidence of patriotic 
principle. Cheer upon cheer expressed and relieved the^ 
feelings of the excited multitude. 

The next incident that occurred was one in which the 
comic and the pathetic were blended. The coachman who 
had driven Mr. Howe's carriage that evening, attracted by 
the continual cheers within the hall, had hired a boy to hold 



448 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

bis horses, and bad entered the building to witness tbe pro- 
ceedings. He was a warm-hearted Irishman, named Michael 
Cabill, past the^, age of military service as defined by law. 
Upon hearing bis employer's speech, he rushed forward, and 
clambering upon the platform, cried out: 

" Put down my name, too ! I can't bear to have the old 
man go alone." 

So down went the name of Michael Cabill, coachman, 
next to that of Elias Howe. Laughter and cheers, mingled 
in about equal proportions, followed the announcement of 
"Mike's" intention. Other names now came in with great 
rapidity. A large number of men were obtained that night, 
and such zeal and enthusiasm were created in the county by 
the events of the evening, that in twenty days the 17th 
Connecticut had upon its rolls the names of one thousand 
men. It was commanded by Colonel H. H. Noble, one of 
the leading lawyers of Bridgeport. 

A difficulty arose when Mr. Howe had to be examined by 
the surgeon of the regiment, Dr. Hubbard. All his life the 
inventor of the sewing-machine has been troubled with an 
hereditary lameness. Indeed, it was owing to the extreme 
fatigue which his daily labor as a journeyman machinist 
caused him, in consequence of this lameness, that he set 
about inventing something by which he hoped to earn his 
living less laboriously. The probability is, that if Elias 
Howe had had two good legs, he would never have invented 
the sewing-machine. When Dr. Hubbard hesitated about 
accepting him, and told him that he could not march : 

"No matter," said the inventor, "you must pass me. I 
am going ! " 



MR. HOWE, POSTMASTER OF REGIMENT. 449 

Both the officers and men of the regiment soon discovered 
that to have a man in a regiment who is both rich and gen- 
erous is extremely convenient. To some of the field-officers 
he gave horses from his stable, and to others he lent them ; 
and whenever there was delay or difficulty in procuring an 
article necessary for the regiment's speedy departure, his 
purse was always open to supply the deficiency. Early in 
September the regiment started on its way towards the seat 
of war, and went into camp near Baltimore. 

When the camp was organized and the regiment entered 

upon its routine duties, Mr. Howe discovered that the doctor 

was right — he could not march with a musket in his hand, 

even to the extent of standing sentry. But, determined to 

be of service, he volunteered to serve the regiment as its 

postmaster, messenger, and expressman. Sending home for 

a suitable horse and wagon, he drove into Baltimore twice 

every day, and brought to the camp the letters and parcels 

for the regiment, which he distributed from his own tent 

with his own hands. He served, in short, as the father of 

the regiment. Going home, occasionally, to Bridgeport, 

where he was then building a large factory, he always gave 

notice of his intention, and made his journey with a small 

cargo of letters and bundles for the families of his comrades, 

and took unwearied pains in performing every commission 

intrusted to him. As one of the officers said to me, "He 

would run half over the State to deliver a letter to some 

lonely mother anxious for her soldier boy, or bring back to 

him in the camp a favorite pair of boots, which he needed 

during the rainy winter of Maryland." 

I once heard Mr. Howe relate a curious anecdote of one 

29 



450 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

of these journeys. He was sitting in the cars, behind two 
wild secessionists, who were conversing eagerly about the 
war. One of them said to the other : 

" Yes, sir ! the whole thing was got up for the purpose of 

s;ivina; fat contracts to the d d abolitionists. There's old 

Howe, the sewing-machine man, worth his millions; they 
have actually given him the contract for carrying the mail 
to the army." 

"You don't say so," said the other. 

" 'Tis a fact," rejoined his friend. " I saw Howe myself 
riding in one of the mail-carts yesterday." 

Mr. Howe smiled, but said nothing. 

Another story of his warlike experience is related by 
Colonel Stephen A. Walker, paymaster of the division to 
which Mr. Howe's regiment belonged. 

For four months after the 17th Connecticut entered the 
field, the Government was so pressed for money, that no 
payments to the troops could be made, and, consequently, 
there was great suffering among the families of the soldiers, 
and a still more painful anxiety suffered by the men them- 
selves. One day, a private soldier came quietly into the 
paymaster's of&ce in Washington, and, as there were several 
officers already there to be attended to, he took his seat in a 
corner, to wait his turn. When the officers had been dis- 
posed of, Colonel Walker turned to him, and said : 

" Now, my man, what can I do for you ?" 

" I have ca,lled," said the soldier, " to see about the pay- 
ment of the 17th Connecticut." 

The paymaster, a little irritated by what he supposed a 
needless and impertinent interruption, told him, somewhat 



MR. nOWE ADVANCING PAY FOR THE REGIMENT, 451 ' 

bluntly, "that a paymaster could do nothing without money, 
and that until the Government could furnish some, it was 
useless for soldiers to come bothering him about the pay of 
their re2;iments." 

" I know," said the soldier, " the Government is in straits, 
and I have called to find out how much money it will take 
to give my regiment two months' pay ; and if you will tell 
me, I am ready to furnish the amount." 

The officer stared with astonishment, and asked the name 
of the soldier, who was no other than Elias Howe. On re- 
ferring to his books, Colonel "Walker found that the sum 
required was $31,000. Upon receiving the information 
the private wrote a draft for the sum, and received in re- 
turn a memorandum certifying the advance, and promis- 
ing reimbursement when the Government could furnish 
the money. 

Two or three days after, at Fairfax Court-House, the 
regiment was paid, and there were a thousand happy men in 
camp. When Mr. Howe's name was called, he went up to 
the paymaster's desk, received twenty-eight dollars and sixty 
cents of his own money, and signed the receipt therefor, 
" Private Elias Howe, Jr." We cannot be surprised at 
some of the officers of neighboring regiments sending over 
to inquire if they could "borrow" this private for a while 
from the 17th Connecticut. 

During the winter Mr. Howe was twice prostrated by 
sickness — first by dysentery, and afterwards by fever. It 
was proposed to convey him to the officers' hospital, but he 
insisted on being taken to the hospital of the privates, and 
to be treated in all respects as a private soldier. There was 



452 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

no difference, liowever, in essential points, between the 
hospitals for officers and those for private soldiers. 

When the spring came, and the regiment was about to 
enter upon active service and to make long marches, it be- 
came clear to Mr. Howe that he could be nothing but an 
incumbrance, and, therefore, after rendering* all the service 
which a man in his physical condition could render, he 
reluctantly asked a discharge, and returned home. He used 
to say to the soldiers : 

" I've got to leave you, boys. I'm of no use here ; but 
never mind — when your time is out, come to me at Bridge- 
port. I'm building a large sewing-machine factory there, 
and I shall have plenty of work for those who want it." 

Many of his comrades took him at his word, and are now 
at work under him in various capacities. Honest " Mike," 
after faithfully serving out his term, went to his old home, 
and has advanced from driving Mr. Howe's carriage to 
driving his own horse and cart, which he is still doing. 

Mr. Howe's enlistment to serve in the ranks of the army 
was due to a genuine patriotic impulse. 

An officer of his regiment related to me a conversation 
which he had with him one gloomy day in camp, when bad 
news was coming in from the West. 

" Well," said the officer, " what do you think the trash we 
call our property will be worth when this is all over? " 

"So that this thing is settled rz^A^," said Mr. Howe, "I 
don't care a copper. As for me, give me three acres of 
land, and I can earn my living upon it, and that's all I 
want." 



APPENDIX. 



See page 44. 

The prisoners from Fort Donelson were among the first that 
reached Chicago. They occupied barracks at Camp Douglas 
that had been previously filled with Union troops who had 
been ordered to the front. Large numbers of these prisoners 
•were ill with pneumonia, pleurisy and other diseases, conse- 
quent upon their insufficient clothing, change of climate and 
hardships endured at Donelson. The report of this state of 
affairs soon spread through the city, and large numbers of 
the citizens repaired to the camp, laden with edibles, cloth- 
ing, books and papers. I speak from personal knowledge, 
as I gladly assisted in this work of humanity. I became 
very much interested in many of these men. They were 
mainly from Tennessee, conversed freely of their situation 
and.prospects, expressed great surprise that Yankees should 
treat them so kindly, and in many cases said, had they known 
the true state of feeling in the North they would never have 
taken up arms. In the hospitals, to which I directed my 
chief attention, the men freely said that all that was possible, 
under the circumstances, was done to make them comfortable. 
This state of affairs continued, until the treasonable speech of 
some of the Southern women residing in Chicago, who were 
freely admitted to see and comfort their friends, obliged the 



454 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

commanding officer to sbut the doors of the camp to all. To 
such unwise sympathy and false encouragement from South- 
ern sympathizers living in the North, a vast amount of blood- 
shed and malignant feeling may be traced. Home traitors 
were practically the worst enemies of the South, and by far 
the most inexcusable foes of the Government. 

&e 'page 219. 

As will be seen by reference to Mrs. Livermore's "Day at 
the Rooms of the Sanitary Commission," the little messenger- 
boy on the naval hospital-boat was sent to Chicago for care 
and nursing. It will be interesting to hear later accounts of 
the youth, now sixteen y^ars of age. At a dinner given at 
the State Fair for the benefit of " The Home for the Friend- 
less," Chicago, October, 1866, as a boy trudged around with 
boxes of candy for sale, his face attracted me, and brought dim 
memories trooping round me. I was out of the city when he 
drifted to the rooms in Chicago, and had not seen the mes- 
senger-boy till that day, I found, upon inquiry, that the 
poor fellow still bore about a useless hand, that hiing help- 
lessly beside him, and his right limb dragged painfully, but 
by active perseverance he was able to earn his bread, although 
he had abandoned all hope of recovery. He was well clad, 
and as cheery as a robin, having, he said, " all he needed, 
and a mother's home to shelter him at night." 

See 'page 48. 

It is not a little gratifying to find the battle of Shiloh 
placed third on the list of the decisive battles of the war, by 
so able a historian as Swinton. This volume was written 



« • APPENDIX. 455 

months before the appearance of Swintou's twelve decisive 
battles of the war, and his view of its magnitude and im- 
portance is fully confirmed by those taking part in it. lie 
writes : 

" The Union forces, on their part, without seeking 
to conceal their chagrin over the first day's battle, justly 
claimed victory in the second. Accordingly, thanksgivings 
went up all over the North for the timely arrival of Buell, 
and his final repulse of the Confederate army ; and never 
was gratitude for what seemed a providential interposition 
more fittingly rendered. 

"It was not, however, until much later, that the true 
import of the battle of Shiloh was discovered, and it was 
found that the immediate revelations of the battle-field were 
of small consequence compared with subsequent develop- 
ments. In order to comprehend the full significance of 
Shiloh, we must know, on the one hand, the great Confed- 
erate possibilities which were forever buried on that field, 
and, on the other hand, the great Union actualities which 
thence took rise and grew to maturity." 

See page 429. 

This statement concerning the battle of Mission Eidge is 
fully confirmed in Gen. Grant's official report, which says : 

"These troops moved forward, drove the enemy from the 
rifle-pits at the base of the ridge, like bees from a hive, 
stopped but a moment, until the whole were in line, and 
commenced the ascent of the mountain from right to left, 
almost simultaneously, following closely the retreating enemy 
without further orders. They encountered a volley of grape 



456 THE BOYS IN BLUE." • 

and canister, from near thirty pieces of artillery, and mus- 
ketry from still well-filled rifle-pits on the summit of the 
ridge. Not a waver was seen in all that long line of brave 
men. Their progress was steadily onward, until the summit 
was in their possession." 

Gen. Thomas, in his official report of the same battle, 
says : 

"Our troops, advancing steadily in a continuous line, the 
enemy, seized with panic, abandoned the works at the foot 
of the hill, and retreated precipitately to the coast, whither 
they were followed by our troops, who, apparently inspired 
by the impulse of victory, carried the hill simultaneously at 
six different points, and so closely upon the heels of the 
enemy, that many of them were taken prisoners in the 
trenches. We captured all their cannon and ammunition 
before they could be removed or destroyed. 



The following incident, so touchingly told by General Fisk, 
may with great propriety be introduced here, and is another 
proof of his Christian faithfulness, so illustrated in the White 
Eiver expedition : 

A TOUCHING INCIDENT OF THE WAR. 

I remember one old lady in Illinois, how she gave all she 
had to the cause of the nation. When the call for troops 
came in 1861, when Massachusetts' blood had made red the 
pavements of Baltimore, when everybody rose up to go, on 
the banks of the Mississippi there lived an old widow wo- 
man. Her husband was in his grave. She had but one 
child in the world, a noble boy, sixteen years of age. She 



APPENDIX. 457 

took him from the plow and the harrow, and said to him, 
" You must go and fight for your country. This great river 
that flows by our farm must wash the shores of but one 
country on its pilgrimage to the sea." 

The boy marched off to battle. He went with me through 
many a weary march, and bloody fight and skirmish. He 
was a Christian boy, reared in the Sunday School, and he 
always carried his Bible with him. 

In one of our engagements he was wounded, and the sur- 
geon told him he would die. Charley said he would like to 
see his mother, but he hadn't money enough to send for her. 
The soldier boys of my escort — and generous souls they 
■were — gathered around him and made up a purse and sent 
away out in the State of Hlinois for his mother to come 
and see him. 1 remember when she presented herself at my 
headquarters, cheerful and happy, with a Bible and a Metho- 
dist hymn-book in her satchel. I took her to the hospital. 
She took his hand, cheerfully thanking God that she saw 
him alive, and there she sat, day after day, watching all the 
child she had in the world — watching for him to die. 

As I passed through that hospital one morning, looking at 
the cot of Charley, I saw the death-damp on his brow ; his 
eye was dim, his pulse was getting slow. I took him b}^ tlie 
hand, and said, " How is it this morning? " " General," said 
he, " I feel I am going to the front," and his eye brightened. 
His mother stood by him, singing — 

" Jesus can make a dying bed ' 

Feel soft as downy pillows are ; 
While on his breast I lean my head, 
And breathe my life out sweetly there." 



458 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

She gave up her boy as cheerfully as you would give a 
dollar. We buried him in the swamp. She went to his 
funeral, and thanked God she had a son to give to the nation. 
Such graves are scattered all over the country. They ap- 
peal to us to-day that we shall not let this Government of the 
people, for the people, and by the people, perish from the 
earth. 

" On fame's eternal camping-ground 
Their silent tents are spread, 
And glory guards with solemn round 
The bivouacs of the dead." 



The following clipping from the New York Observer, 
and the pen of its editor, Dr. Prime, manifests the deep 
interest that the sanitary work in the army of the Republic 
is creating throughout the civilized world. So great has 
been the desire manifested to learn the modes of its benevo- 
lence, that Dr. Bellows has been extensively engaged, since 
the close of tlie war, in correspondence with philanthropists 
abroad seeking information, and has, in his able and happy 
manner, been educating large numbers of men and women 
in the principles and methods of " sanitary " prevention 
and cure. This is one secret of the establishment of this 
department in the Paris Exposition. 

ALLEVIATIONS OF WAR. 

The regret has been expressed by many that so much 
space in the Great Exposition, which ought to be a festival 
of peace, has been taken up with implements of war ; but 
there is one department intimately connected with this which 



APPENDIX. 459 

can be contemplated bj the philanthropist with no less 
gratification than those devoted exclusively to the arts of 
peace. Around the spacious building which the Imperial 
Minister of War has erected for the exhibition of the engines 
of war, is a group of tents filled with specimens of improved 
military surgery, and those many appliances which Chris- 
tian kindness has devised for the mitigation of the evils of 
war. Among these the United States holds a foremost 
place. A letter to the New York Observer, from Dr. Prime, 
its editor, thus describes this very interesting feature of the 
Great Exhibition : 

" Dr. Thomas Evans, a resident for many years of Paris, 
and a man of large wealth, has spent several thousands of 
dollars, and much time, in getting together a fair sample of 
what was done by the Government, the Sanitary and the 
Christian Commissions, and individuals, to save the lives 
and health and promote the well-being of our soldiers in the 
late civil war. The largest of these objects is a hospital 
railroad-car, modelled one-fourth of the size for use, showincr 
the whole arrangement for the transport and care of sick and 
wounded soldiers by rail. Our ambulances are here. The 
improvements in hospital-beds are also shown. A travellino- 
drug-shop is seen on wheels, so fitted up that a complete 
assortment of medicines and surgical tools is at hand and 
easily found. The various preparations of food, as condens- 
ed milk, meats and fruits, biscuits, etc., are admirably 
arranged. And not less interesting are the appliances of the 
Christian Commission, and a large library belonging to one 
of the regiments of Union cavalry, and actually transported 
with them wherever they went, excites the astonishment of 



460 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

Earopean officers, wlio did not know tbat the tastes of 
Yankee troopers required such an addition to the impedimenta 
of the army. Dr. Colton has a stand in one corner of this 
building, wliere he administers his anaesthetic gas to those 
who are disposed to make a trial- of its virtues. The 
Empress took the pipe into her hands the other day, but did 
not inhale. If she had taken the gas, all the world of Paris 
ladies would have wanted some of the same -sort. 

, " Near to this is the Italian tent, where the visitor remarks 
the heavy and cumbrous character of the ambulances, built 
as if for ages, and certainly requiring a strong team power to 
drag them, even empty, over fields or rough roads. Yet 
here and in the Prussian collection we are impressed deeply 
by the exceedingly comfortable and costly apparatus provid- 
ed for the field and the hospital. Operating tables, made for 
use on the field, chairs and litters for transporting the 
wounded, beds with an ingenious but very expensive contriv- 
ance to raise the sufferer up and sustain him while anj^ change 
is made, and a hundred other things equally important and 
interesting are exhibited, and give us a new idea of the prog- 
ress which humanity is making in alleviating what Chris- 
tianity and commerce have as yet been unable to arrest. 

" Dr. Crane has the charge of our department, and was 
kind enough to explain to me many of these articles, which 
a man who uses the pen and not the sword would be unable 
to understand without a guide. I was easily led to notice 
the superior lightness, efficiency and facility for use of the 
appliances in our armies. They are made for present pur- 
poses, and cheaply, and answer the end well. Perhaps they 
do not break down or get out of order when they are subject 



APPENDIX. 461 

to rough treatment and exposed to weather and wear. But 
the European instruments for the wounded and the* sick 
were strong, expensive, well made, durable, less liable to be 
knocked up. It is the same difference noticeable in all we 
'and they do in our public works. When they build a rail- 
road, it i« built to last and wear. Ours are made to pay a 
big dividend next year. It is not likely that a higher 
degree of civilization or religious sentiment prompts one 
more than another of the nations here represented, in their 
preparations to assuage the sufferings of the victims of war, 
but it is a beautiful idea to spread out on this Champ de 
Mars these evidences of what has been made necessary by 
war, and what philanthropy has done to succor those who 
are made to suffer." 



APPENDIX. 463 



« 



THE LITTLE DRUMMER. 

A soldier's 8T0RT. 

BY R. H. STODDARD. 



'Tis of a little drummer, 

The story I shall tell ; 
Of how he marched to battle, 

And all that there befell. 
Out in the West with Lyon, 

(For once the name was true,) 
For whom the little drummer beat 

His rat-tat-too. 



n. 



Our army rose at midnight, 

Ten thousand men as one. 
Each slinging on his knapsack, 

And snatching up his gun : 
" Forward/ " and off they started, 

As all good soldiers do, 
When the little drummer beats for them 

The rat-tat-too. 



■ii- 



1 



464 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

in. 

Across a rolling country, 

Where the mist began to rise ; 
Past many a blackened farm-house, 

Till the sun was in the skies : 
Then we met the Rebel pickets, 

Who skirmished and withdrew, 
While the little drummer beat and beat 

The rat-tat-too. 



rv. 

Along the wooden hollows 

The line of battle ran, 
Our centre poured a volley. 

And the fight at once began; 
For the Rebels answered shouting, 

And a shower of bullets flew ; 
But still the little drummer beat 

His rat-tat-too. 



V. 



He stood among his comrades. 

As they quickly formed the line. 
And when they raised their muskets 

He watched the barrels shine I 
When the volley rang, he started I 

For war to him was new ; 
But still the httle drummer beat 

Hi3 rat-tat-too. 



APPENDIX. 465 



VI. 



It was a sight to see them, 

That early autumn day, 
Our soldiers in their blue coats, 

And the Rebel ranks in gray : 
The smoke that rolled between them, 

The balls that whistled through, 
And the Uttle drummer as he beat 

His rat-tat-too ! 



His comrades dropped around him,- 

By fives and tens they fell. 
Some pierced by Minnie bullets, 

Some torn by shot and shell ; 
They played against our cannon, 

And a caisson's splinters flew ; 
But still the little drummer beat 

His rai-tat-too I 



vm. 

The right, the left, the centre — 

The fight was everywhere : 
They pushed us here, — we wavered,- 

We drove and broke them there. 
The graybacks fixed their bayonets. 

And charged the coats of blue. 
But still the httle drummer beat 

His rat-tat-too I 



466 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



" Where is our little drummer ? " 

His nearest comrades say, 
When the dreadful fight is over, 

And the smoke has cleared away. 
As the Rebel corps was scattering 

He urged them to pursue, 
So furiously he beat and beat 

The rat-tat-too ! 



He stood no more among them, 

For a bullet as it sped 
Had glanced and struck his ankle, 

And stretched him with the dead 1 
He crawled behind a cannon. 

And pale and paler grew : 
But stiU the little drummer beat 

His rat-tat-too ! 



They bore him to the surgeon, . 

A busy man was he : 
" A drummer boy — what ails him ? " 

His comrades answered, " See I " 
As they took him from the stretcher, 

A heavy breath he drew. 
And his little fingers strove to beat 

The rat-tat-too t 



APPENDIX. 467 



The ball had spent its fury : 
" A scratch," the surgeon said, 
As he wound the snowy bandage 
Which the hnt was staining red I 
" I must leave you now, old feUow." 
" Oh I take me back with you. 
For I know the men are missing me. 
And the rat-tat-too I " 



Upon his comrade's shoulder 

They lifted him so grand, 
"With his dusty drum before him, 

And his drum-sticks in his hand I 
To the fiery front of battle. 

That nearer, nearer ^rew, — 
And evermore he beat and beat 

His rat-tat-too I 



The wounded as he passed them 

Looked up and gave a cheer : 
And one in dying blessed him, 

Between a smile and tear I 
And the graybacks — they are flying 

Before the coats of blue, 
For whom the Uttle drummer beats 

His rat-tat-too. 



468 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

XV. 

When the west was red with sunset, 

The last pursuit was o'er ; 
Brave Lyon rode the foremost, 

And looked the name he bore I 
And before him on his saddle, 

As a weary child would do. 
Sat the little drummer fast asleep, 

With his rat-tat-too 



MARCHING ALONG-. 



BY WILLIAM B. BRADBURY. 



The army is gathering from near and from far ; 
The trumpet is sounding the call for the war ; 
For Grant is our leader, he's gallant and strong, — 
We'll gird on our armor, and be marching along I 



CHORUS. 



Marching along, we are marching along, 
Gird on the armor, and be marching along ; 
For Grant is our leader, he's gallant and strong ; 
For God and our Country we're marcliing along ! 



APPENDIX. 469 

The foe is before us, in battle array ; 

But let us not waver, or turn from the way ; 

The Lord is our strength, and the Union's our song ; 

With courage and faith, we are marching along ! 

Chorus. 



We sigh for our Country, we mourn for our dead ; 
For them, now, our last drop of blood we will shed ; 
Our cause is the right one : our foe's in the wrong ; 
Then, gladly we'll sing as we're marching along 1 

Chorus. 



Our wives and our children we leave in your care ; 
We know you will help them their sorrows to bear ; 
'Tis hard thus to part, but we hope 't won't be long; 
We'll keep up our hearts as we're marching along I 

Chorus. 



The Flag of our Country is floating on high ; 
We'll stand by that Flag till we conquer or die ! 
For G-rant is our leader, he's gallant and strong ; 
We'll gird on our armor, and be marching along I 

Chorus. 



47C THE BOYS IN BLUE. 



BATTLE-HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC. 



BY MRS. JULIA WARD HOWK, 



Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord ; 
He is trampUng out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored ; 
He hath loosed the fateful Hghtning of His terrible swift sword : 

His truth is marchins: on. 



I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps ; 
They have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps ; 
I have read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps ; 

His day is marching on. 



I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel : 

" As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal ; 

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, 

Since God is marching on." 



He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat ; 
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat j 
be swift, my soul, to answer Him 1 be jubilant, my feet I 

Our God is marching on. 



APPENDIX. 471 

In the beauty of the hUes Christ was born across the sea, 
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me ; 
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free. 

While God is marching on. 



JOHN BROWN'S SONG. 



John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave ; 

John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave ; 

John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave ; 

His soul is marching on ! 

Glory, halle — hallelujah. 
Glory, halle — ^hallelujah, 
Glory, halle — hallelujah, 

His soul is marching on. 



He's ^one to be a soldier in the army of the Lord 
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord 
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord 
His soul is marching on ! 

Glory, halle — hallelujah, &c. 

John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back ; 

John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back ; 

John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back ; 

His soul is marching on ! 

Glory, halle — hallelujah, &c. 



472 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

The pet lambs and angels will meet him on the way ; 

The pet lambs and angels will meet him on the way ; 

The pet lambs and angels will meet him on the way ; 

As they go marching on 1 

Glory, halle — hallelujah, &c. 

We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree ; 
We'U hang Jelf Davis to a sour apple tree ; 
^ We'll hang JefF Davis to a sour apple tree ; 

As we go marching on ! 

Glory, halle — hallelujah, &c. 

Now three rousing cheers for the Union ; 
Now three rousing cheers for the Union ; 
Now three rousing oheers*for the Union ; 
As we go marching on ! 

Glory, halle — hallelujah, &c. 
Hip, hip, hip, hip, hurrah. 



THE BATTLE-CRT OF FEEEDOM. 



Yes, we '11 rally round the flag, boys, 
We '11 rally once again. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
We will rally from the hiU-side, 
Wo will rally from the plain. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 



APPENDIX. 473 



Chorus , 



The Union forever I Hurrah, boys, hurrah ! 
Down with the Traitors, up with the Stars ; 
While we rally round the flag, boys, 
Rally once again, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 



We are springing to the call 
Of our brothers gone before. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
And we '11 fill the vacant ranks 
With a million freemen more. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union forever, &c. 

» 

We will welcome to our number 
The loyal, true, and brave. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom, 
And although he may be poor 
He shall never be a slave. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union forever, &c. 

We are springing to the call. 
From the East and from the West, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
And we '11 hurl the Rebel crew 
From the land we love the best. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union for ever, &c. 



474 THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

We are marching to tlie field, boys, 
Going to the fight, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
And we '11 bear the glorious Stars 
Of the Union and the Eight, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union forever, &c. 

We '11 meet the Eebel host, boys, 
With fearless hearts and true. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 
And we '11 show what Uncle Sam 
Has for loyal men to do, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union foreyer, &c. 

If we fail amid the fray, boys. 

We will face them to the last. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; 

And»our comrades brave shall hear us. 

As we are rushing past. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union forever, &c. 

Tes, for Liberty and Union, 
We are springing to the fight. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; 
And the victory shall be ours. 
Forever rising in our might, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. 

The Union forever, &c. 



APPENDIX. 475 



THE DYING SOLDIER. 



Written on the death of Colonel Christie, who fell mortally wonnded at the battle 
of Gettysburg, Pa., and died at Winchester, Va. He longed to see his young wife, " his 
darling Lizzie," but before she reached Winchester he was dead. 

I. 

I am dying — is she coming ? throw the window open wide. 
Is she coming ? Oh ! I love her more than all the world beside. 
In her young and tender beauty, must, oh ! must she feel this loss ? 
Saviour, hear my poor petition ; teach her how to bear this cross. 

ir. 
Help her to be calm and patient, when I moulder in the dust ; 
Let her say and feel, my Father, that thy ways are true and just: 
Is she coming ? Q-o and listen ; I would see her face once more, 
I would hear her speaking to me, ere hfe's fevered dream is o'er. 

III. 

I would fold her to my bosom, look into her soft, bright eye ; 
I would teU her how I love her, kiss her once before I die. 
Is she coming ? Oh ! 'tis evening, and my darUng comes not stUl ; 
Lift the curtain — ^it grows darker ; it is sunset on the hill. 

IV. 

AU the evening dews are falling; I am cold — the light is gone. 
Is she coming ? Softly, softly come the silent footsteps on. 
I am going ; come and kiss me — kiss me for my darhng wife ; 
Take for her my parting blessing — take the last warm kiss of life. 



476 BOYS IN BLUE. 

V. 

Tell her I will wait to greet her where the good and lovely are : 
In that home untouched by sorrow, tell her she must meet me there. 
Is she coming ? Lift the curtain — let me see thcfailing light ; 
Oh ! I want to live to see her — surely she will come to-night. 

VI. 

Surely ere the daylight dieth, I wiU fold her to my breast; 
With her head upon my bosom, calmly I could sink to rest. 
It is h; .rd to die without her. Look ! I think she's coming now ; 
I can almost feel her kisses on my faded cheek -and brow. 



I can almost hear her whisper^ feel her breath upon ray cheek. 
Hark I I hear the front door open — is she coming ? did she speak ? 
No I Well, drop the curtain softly, I will see her face no more, 
Till I see it smiling on me, on the bright and better shore. 

VIII, 

Tell her she must come and meet me in that Eden-land of light. 
Tell her I'U be waiting for her where there is no death, no night ; 
Tell her that I called her darling, blessed her with my dying breath ; 
Come and kiss me for my Lizzie — teU her love outhved my death. 



A NATIONAL HYMN. 

BY PARK BENJAMIN. 



Great God I to whom our nation's woes, 
Our dire distress, our angry foes. 
In all their awful gloom are known, 
We bow to thee, and thee alone. 



APPENDIX. 477 

We pray thee, mitigate this strife, 
Attended by such waste of life, 
Such wounds and anguish, groans and tears. 
That fill our inmost hearts with fear. 



Oh ! darkly now the tempest roUs, 
Wide o'er our desolate souls; 
Yet, beaten downward to the dust, 
In thy forgiveness still we trust. 

We trust to thy protecting power 
In this, our country's saddest hour. 
And pray that thou wilt spread thy shield 
Above us, in the camp and field. 

Grod of battles ! let thy might 
Protect our armies in the fight — 
Till they shall win the victory, 
And set the hapless bondmen free. 

Till, guided by thy glorious hand, 
Those armies reunite the land. 
And North and South alike shall raise 
To God their peaceful Hymns of Praise. 



HEROES OF THE RANK AND FILE. 

COMPniSING 

Incidetils and Setniniscetices from Camp, Saffle-fletd and Hospital, 

with JVarratipes of the Sacrifice, Sufferings and 

TriumpJis of the 

SOLDIERS OF THE REPUBLIC. 

BY 

ASSOCIATE MANAGEB OF THE NORTH-WESTERN BRANCH OF THE U. S. SANTTAEY COMMISSION, 

CHICAGO. 

With an INTRODUCTION by THOMAS M. EDDY, D.D. 

Able •wTiters have described the campaigns which resnlted in the overthrow of the 
Rebellion, and the lives of the generals and officerB who planned the manrenvres of our 
Armies, have been written, bnt as yet poor justice has been done to the Soldiers who made the 
reputation of these generals, and who fought the battles and gained the victories for which 
the leaders have received nearly all the credit. 

In this volume — which its talented author, Mrs. A. H. HOGE, has appropriately and 
happily called "The Boys in Blue; or, Heroes op the Rank and File" — this oversight is 
partially, remedied ; partially, we say, for language can never do full justice to the gallantry, 
the heroism, and the undaunted bravery of the Private Soldiers. As a leading spirit of tne North- 
western Sanitary Commission, as a faithful nurse in the camp, in the hospital, and in the field, 
Mrs. HoGE witnessed nearly all the important operations of our armies in the Southwest, first 
under Grant and afterwards under Sherman. In this volume she takes us directly among the 
"BoyT in Blue," and tells us in simple, earnest, bnt glowing and eloquent language of the 
sacrifices and suffering through which they passed to win their grand triumphs. 

The story Mrs. HoGE narrates is one of the most thrilling interest. She confines herself 
to incidents which passed under her own observation, and these she weaves together with 
wonderful skill and effect. The private soldier who survived the war will find his own 
experiences reproduced in this deeply interesting volume; and the thousands who mourn a 
son, brother or father as among the victims of rebel hate will equally welcome the work, not 
only as a souvenir of the struggle so full of tender memories for them, but as a record, which 
by commemorating the services of the "Boys in Blue," worthily supplements the more 
ambitious histories which the war has produced. 

The work is sold by Agents, and -will be comprised in one handsome volume 

of nearly 500 octavo pages, -with numerous Illustrations from 

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Township and village of the country to introduce this work into every family. 

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